Rory McIlroy may be out of contention for the Race to Dubai, but he still hopes to sign off his fine season with another win this weekend at a course he feels like he could play blindfolded.
The world No2 saw his chances of reaching the summit of the Order of Merit fade in absentia on Sunday.
He won the WGC HSBC Champions on his last start, in China three weeks ago, to give himself a chance of topping the money list.
However, when Bernd Wiesberger finished in a tie for third at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa two weeks later, it meant he could no longer be overhauled by McIlroy at the top of the rankings.
Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, Shane Lowry and Matthew Fitzpatrick are all mathematically able to leapfrog Wiesberger.
McIlroy, the next highest-ranked player in the field, might not be able to, but he still appeared content with life after arriving at Jumeirah Golf Estates ahead of the DP World Tour Championship.
“I have won [the Race to Dubai] three times, and it is a wonderful feeling to be able to do it, but I just haven’t played enough counting European Tour events to have a chance,” McIlroy said.
“If you look at someone like Bernd Wiesberger, who has played [28] times, those are the guys who deserve to be up there with a chance to win.”
McIlroy is well used to walking away from the Earth Course with swag of some description. As well as his three Order of Merit titles, he has won the Championship itself twice, in 2012 and 2015.
If he were to repeat the trick this week, it would be his fifth win on tour this season, which would equal his best ever haul for a single campaign.
When he tees it up at 12.20pm on Thursday, McIlroy will be without his regular caddie Harry Diamond, who is on paternity leave.
Instead, he will be aided by Niall O’Connor, a former professional rugby player who played a number of games for the Irish Wolfhounds, the team below Ireland's full national team.
“If there is any week where I don’t have Harry on the bag, it’s good it is this week,” McIlroy said.
“I feel like I could play this place blindfolded. I have been coming here for 10 years. I know the place like the back of my hand.
“Niall got a few A-caps for Ireland, played for Ulster a lot of times. He knows what it feels like in the heat of the battle.
“Obviously we don't have 18-stone (110kg) men running at us like he has in the past. It's a little bit different.
“Also, he's a pretty good golfer himself. He's played a lot of amateur tournaments in Ireland, so he knows the game well.
"It will be a great experience for both of us, and you know, as long as I stay loose and relaxed out there, that's the most important thing."
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
In Praise of Zayed
A thousand grains of Sand whirl in the sky
To mark the journey of one passer-by
If then a Cavalcade disturbs the scene,
Shall such grains sing before they start to fly?
What man of Honour, and to Honour bred
Will fear to go wherever Truth has led?
For though a Thousand urge him to retreat
He'll laugh, until such counsellors have fled.
Stands always One, defiant and alone
Against the Many, when all Hope has flown.
Then comes the Test; and only then the time
Of reckoning what each can call his own.
History will not forget: that one small Seed
Sufficed to tip the Scales in time of need.
More than a debt, the Emirates owe to Zayed
Their very Souls, from outside influence freed.
No praise from Roderic can increase his Fame.
Steadfastness was the Essence of his name.
The changing years grow Gardens in the Sand
And build new Roads to Sand which stays the same.
But Hearts are not rebuilt, nor Seed resown.
What was, remains, essentially Alone.
Until the Golden Messenger, all-wise,
Calls out: "Come now, my Friend!" - and All is known
- Roderic Fenwick Owen
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Fixtures
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The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester
Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)
Seemar’s top six for the Dubai World Cup Carnival:
1. Reynaldothewizard
2. North America
3. Raven’s Corner
4. Hawkesbury
5. New Maharajah
6. Secret Ambition
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
Ultra processed foods
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
Tesalam Aleik
Abdullah Al Ruwaished
(Rotana)
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Brief scoreline:
Liverpool 5
Keita 1', Mane 23', 66', Salah 45' 1, 83'
Huddersfield 0
