Shane Lowry made his Saudi International debut last year and finished tied 13th. Getty Images
Shane Lowry made his Saudi International debut last year and finished tied 13th. Getty Images
Shane Lowry made his Saudi International debut last year and finished tied 13th. Getty Images
Shane Lowry made his Saudi International debut last year and finished tied 13th. Getty Images

Shane Lowry: British Open champion heads to Saudi International with Ryder Cup front of his mind


John McAuley
  • English
  • Arabic

As if his motivation to make Europe’s Ryder Cup team was not already high, it was during some downtime through the Christmas break where it again hit home to Shane Lowry.

“It’s funny, I was just chilling in my house and I watched the Miracle at Medinah,” Lowry says, in reference to Europe’s famous comeback against the United States in 2012. “When you watch what went on there, and how much fun the lads had together, stuff like that spurs me on even more to get up early in the morning and work hard and get out there and go and make that team.”

Three Ryder Cups have been and gone since, but Lowry has yet to play in one. He was close in 2016, although his form stalled in the lead-up to Hazeltine and captain Darren Clarke opted as his three picks for Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Thomas Pieters.

This time, Padraig Harrington sits at the helm as Europe attempt to retain the trophy at the postponed meet at Whistling Straits in September. Fellow Irishmen, Lowry and the three-time major champion are close friends off the course, although the former is determined to qualify outright this time.

Lowry has made no secret of this desire to add the Ryder Cup to a CV highlighted by a major title – the 2019 Open – and a WGC crown, among his five professional victories.

A debut appearance features high on his list of priorities for 2021.

“It’s up there,” Lowry says. “I’ve not been shy about saying it. Everyone knows I haven’t played in a Ryder Cup yet and I really want to do it. Not only do I want to do it, I feel I can add to the team, that I could bring something there, especially in the team room. I get on with most people very well.

“And not only do you want to make the team, but you want to go there and win the thing. That’s the way I look at it: not only do I want to make the team, but I want to go to America and bring that trophy back.

“Everyone knows Padraig is one of my best friends out here, so to be able to do that for him would be amazing too. Because, with the career he’s had, he’s arguably one of the best sportsmen that our country has ever seen. No one deserves it more than him.”

Lowry began his season in the UAE two weeks ago, but the 2019 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner missed the cut in the capital despite not being overly dissatisfied with his play.

He responded with a better showing at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, finishing on Sunday in a tied for 27th, and now tackles this week’s Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers knowing his game is moving in the right direction.

Lowry, 33, enjoyed his debut there last year – the tournament’s second edition – impressed by the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club course, the facilities in King Abdullah Economic City and the reception he received. He was tied-13th.

Before the tournament, Lowry played a practice round with young Saudi Saud Al Sharif, harking back to the days when as an amateur he would be lucky enough to pick the brains of the likes of Harrington or Rory McIlroy.

Shane Lowry during a practice round last year with Saudi amateur Saud Al Sharif. Courtesy Golf Saudi
Shane Lowry during a practice round last year with Saudi amateur Saud Al Sharif. Courtesy Golf Saudi

“I don’t really see myself as a role model,” he says. “Obviously I try and do as best I can and portray myself as best I can. I just see myself as another player and go about my business, but to actually have people look up to you and want to learn from you is pretty cool as well. When you get to play with better players you become a better player.”

The same could be said for Lowry this week, despite his impressive achievements to date. The field in Saudi is stacked, with world No 1 Dustin Johnson at its head, and four of the world's top 10 competing in all. Johnson won the inaugural event, in 2019, and was runner-up last year.

So plenty of world ranking points up for grabs. And in a Ryder Cup year, too.

“Every week you come out here, no matter what week, you’re playing against a top-class field,” says Lowry, the world No 37. “But this week more so than anywhere.

“At the end of the year every shot counts towards something, so you want to go out there and put yourself up against the best players in the world, and this is a great week to do that.

“Hopefully I can get myself in some sort of contention going down the stretch. And if it’s against one of the best players in the world, that’d be great too.”

Like last year, Lowry landed in Saudi without the Claret Jug. Secured in stunning fashion at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland two summers ago, he is yet to defend his crown after the pandemic forced golf’s oldest major to be cancelled last July.

________________

Shane Lowry's British Open triumph - in pictures

  • Republic of Ireland's Shane Lowry celebrates with the Claret Jug trophy after winning The Open Championship. Reuters
    Republic of Ireland's Shane Lowry celebrates with the Claret Jug trophy after winning The Open Championship. Reuters
  • Lowry celebrates with wife Wendy Honner and kid. Richard Sellers / PA Wire
    Lowry celebrates with wife Wendy Honner and kid. Richard Sellers / PA Wire
  • Lowry celebrates with his caddie after winning The Open Championship. Reuters
    Lowry celebrates with his caddie after winning The Open Championship. Reuters
  • Lowry hugs Tommy Fleetwood of England on the 18th green. Getty Images
    Lowry hugs Tommy Fleetwood of England on the 18th green. Getty Images
  • Lowry celebrates his putt shot. EPA
    Lowry celebrates his putt shot. EPA
  • Lowry putts on the 18th hole. Reuters
    Lowry putts on the 18th hole. Reuters
  • Lowry plays a shot on the 18th hole. Getty Images
    Lowry plays a shot on the 18th hole. Getty Images
  • Lowry plays his shot on the 16th tee. Getty Images
    Lowry plays his shot on the 16th tee. Getty Images
  • Lowry blasts from a bunker. EPA
    Lowry blasts from a bunker. EPA
  • Lowry lines up a putt on the 16th green. Getty Images
    Lowry lines up a putt on the 16th green. Getty Images
  • Lowry and his caddie Bo Martin react to his birdie on the 15th green. Getty Images
    Lowry and his caddie Bo Martin react to his birdie on the 15th green. Getty Images
  • Lowry plays a shot on the 12th hole. Getty Images
    Lowry plays a shot on the 12th hole. Getty Images
  • Lowry prepares to play his shot from the ninth tee. Getty Images
    Lowry prepares to play his shot from the ninth tee. Getty Images
  • Lowry assesses a hole. EPA
    Lowry assesses a hole. EPA
  • Lowry plays a shot on the eighth hole. Getty Images
    Lowry plays a shot on the eighth hole. Getty Images
  • Lowry during the final round. Reuters
    Lowry during the final round. Reuters
  • Lowry on the 5th hole during the final round. Reuters
    Lowry on the 5th hole during the final round. Reuters
  • Lowry tees off at the 3rd hole. AFP
    Lowry tees off at the 3rd hole. AFP
  • Lowry putts during the final round. Getty Images
    Lowry putts during the final round. Getty Images
  • Lowry bumps fists with his caddie as they wait to play the 1st hole. AP Photo
    Lowry bumps fists with his caddie as they wait to play the 1st hole. AP Photo

________________

Since Lowry remains the reigning champion, the Claret Jug remains in his possession – sort of.

“It’s tricky, when you’re going from place to place, it’s a big suitcase – I never thought I’d be complaining about this – but it’s a big piece of luggage to get round,” he says.

“It’s amazing and mad to think that I’m still actually holding the main one and the tournament hasn’t been played yet. Because it feels like so long ago since I won it.

“It’s in Ireland. I miss it. I think I’ll get it brought over to America in a couple weeks, just to have it for the last few months. And then hopefully when I get to Royal St George’s I’m giving it back but only for a few days.”

Hold onto it beyond July, and Lowry would surely be able to show it off in Wisconsin in September.

The Ryder Cup sits prominently on his to-do list, but it’s not the sole reason he describes his motivation as stronger than ever.

“I think when you grow up and mature a little bit more, you see what you’re actually doing,” Lowry says. “And I feel I’m in the middle of creating quite a decent career for myself and I’m very motivated to go on and add to the trophies that I’ve won.

“Hopefully go on to win bigger tournaments, more so for my family and friends. To see what Portrush did for those people was pretty cool, and I’d love to be able to do that again.

“Even now over the next few months, when you see the struggles people are having at home, I’d love to be able to give them something to watch on TV and something to cheer about. That’s where my motivation is at the minute.

“I do feel more motivated than ever. Not that I’ve ever not been motivated - I’ve always been very competitive and determined to be the best that I can be.

“But, when you grow up and have a family and start looking at that, and you realise the life you can give them, that motivates you every day to get out of bed and go to work.”

Dhadak

Director: Shashank Khaitan

Starring: Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khattar, Ashutosh Rana

Stars: 3

Friday's schedule in Madrid

Men's quarter-finals

Novak Djokivic (1) v Marin Cilic (9) from 2pm UAE time

Roger Federer (4) v Dominic Thiem (5) from 7pm

Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) v Alexander Zverev (3) from 9.30pm

Stan Wawrinka v Rafael Nadal (2) from 11.30pm

Women's semi-finals

Belinda Bencic v Simona Halep (3) from 4.30pm

Sloane Stephens (8) v Kiki Bertens (7) from 10pm

Brief scores:

Barcelona 3

Pique 38', Messi 51 (pen), Suarez 82'

Rayo Vallecano 1

De Tomas Gomez 24'

How%20to%20avoid%20getting%20scammed
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THE%20SWIMMERS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESally%20El-Hosaini%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENathalie%20Issa%2C%20Manal%20Issa%2C%20Ahmed%20Malek%20and%20Ali%20Suliman%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

Predictions

Predicted winners for final round of games before play-offs:

  • Friday: Delhi v Chennai - Chennai
  • Saturday: Rajasthan v Bangalore - Bangalore
  • Saturday: Hyderabad v Kolkata - Hyderabad
  • Sunday: Delhi v Mumbai - Mumbai
  • Sunday - Chennai v Punjab - Chennai

Final top-four (who will make play-offs): Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Set-jetting on the Emerald Isle

Other shows filmed in Ireland include: Vikings (County Wicklow), The Fall (Belfast), Line of Duty (Belfast), Penny Dreadful (Dublin), Ripper Street (Dublin), Krypton (Belfast)

MATCH INFO

Azerbaijan 0

Wales 2 (Moore 10', Wilson 34')

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EQureos%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E33%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESoftware%20and%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%243%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SERIE A FIXTURES

Friday Sassuolo v Benevento (Kick-off 11.45pm)

Saturday Crotone v Spezia (6pm), Torino v Udinese (9pm), Lazio v Verona (11.45pm)

Sunday Cagliari v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Atalanta v Fiorentina (6pm), Napoli v Sampdoria (6pm), Bologna v Roma (6pm), Genoa v Juventus (9pm), AC Milan v Parma (11.45pm)

Everton 1 Stoke City 0
Everton (Rooney 45 1')
Man of the Match Phil Jagielka (Everton)

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma

When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Tips to avoid getting scammed

1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday

2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment

3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone

4) Try not to close the sale at night

5) Don't be rushed into a sale 

6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes. 

The trip

From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.

ON%20TRACK
%3Cp%3EThe%20Dubai%20Metaverse%20Assembly%20will%20host%20three%20main%20tracks%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEducate%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Consists%20of%20more%20than%2010%20in-depth%20sessions%20on%20the%20metaverse%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInspire%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Will%20showcase%20use%20cases%20of%20the%20metaverse%20in%20tourism%2C%20logistics%2C%20retail%2C%20education%20and%20health%20care%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EContribute%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Workshops%20for%20metaverse%20foresight%20and%20use-case%20reviews%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S

Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900

Engine: 937cc

Transmission: Six-speed gearbox

Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm

Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km

ESSENTIALS

The flights 
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
 

The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.

Monster

Directed by: Anthony Mandler

Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington 

3/5

 

Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
​​​​​​​Penguin Press

ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
%3Cp%3EBy%202030%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi%20aims%20to%20achieve%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%2039.3%20million%20visitors%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20nearly%2064%25%20up%20from%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%20Dh90%20billion%20contribution%20to%20GDP%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20about%2084%25%20more%20than%20Dh49%20billion%20in%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%20178%2C000%20new%20jobs%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20bringing%20the%20total%20to%20about%20366%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%2052%2C000%20hotel%20rooms%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20up%2053%25%20from%2034%2C000%20in%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%207.2%20million%20international%20visitors%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20almost%2090%25%20higher%20compared%20to%202023's%203.8%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%80%A2%203.9%20international%20overnight%20hotel%20stays%2C%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2022%25%20more%20from%203.2%20nights%20in%202023%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).

Padmaavat

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh

3.5/5

What is a Ponzi scheme?

A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.

About Proto21

Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group