Given Alvaro Quiros's fascination with James Bond, perhaps the Spaniard should enlist 007 to help in his attempt to qualify for next month's DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
The champion, whose stellar 2011 had made him too a master marksman, has suffered this season, by his own admission, from a crisis of confidence. He has lost that signature licence to thrill.
Quiros, currently 73rd in the Race to Dubai, has given himself two tournaments - the BMW Masters, which started yesterday, and the following WGC-HSBC Champions - to creep inside the top 60 players in the standings and collect an invite to the showdown at the Earth Course in four weeks' time.
For the typically swashbuckling 29 year old, it is very much a case of You Only Live Twice.
"They are finals," said Quiros at Jumeirah Golf Estates, days before flying to Shanghai for part one of his mission: the BMW Masters. "They're like the final match of the [English] Premier League or [Spain's] La Liga. Because I know if I don't play well in both events I'm not going to be here.
"The target right now in the Race to Dubai is simply to qualify. I know that's poor considering last season I was comfortable in the tournament and finished sixth in the Order of Merit.
"It's a shame, but I have to try and approach golf very calmly, believe my game is coming around right now and just hope the situation will change."
The dispirited demeanour is in stark contrast to the last time Quiros visited these parts.
On a late November afternoon last year, the Cadiz-born golfer navigated with a pair of thunderous three woods and a 50-foot putt the 651-yard 72nd hole of the then-Dubai World Championship, carding an eagle three and claiming a two-shot victory.
The win marked his second of the season - in February he had reigned supreme at the nearby Dubai Desert Classic - and his sixth top 10, in the process nudging Tiger Woods from the No 21 spot in the world rankings.
His place at the four majors guaranteed, and a Ryder Cup contribution seemingly soon to follow, Quiros expected big things from 2012.
Instead, the season has brought only one outright top 10 and a multitude of missed cuts - he has not made a weekend since May - most notably at golf's premier quartet.
The loss of form finds its source in a technique change designed to encourage consistency and help Quiros more regularly contend titles. It has had the opposite effect; belief and boldness, once his two greatest attributes, have been replaced by insecurity and sapping introspection.
"I've been criticising myself that much this season that I don't let myself just play," he said. "It's been difficult for me, so difficult. Because I push myself, I'm a very ambitious guy and sometimes too much of a perfectionist.
"And in golf, perfection doesn't exist. The key for why I'm in this bad moment in my career is I've been practising more and working out more, and so was expecting more, too.
"I wasn't able to accept that I missed shots this far right or that far left, when at the end of the day we are human beings and must try to accept it, be ready to face the next shot and not think how bad was the mistake before.
"That's what has happened to me 95 per cent this season."
Quiros, who posted a first-round, two-under par 70 yesterday at Lake Malaren to sit tied-22nd, seeks solace in past peaks.
Under pressure, he has usually prospered.
In his first event after earning his place on the 2007 European Tour, the emerging golfer remained unaffected by the water threatening his approach shot on the final hole of the Alfred Dunhill Championship to secure a par and seal the trophy.
Then in 2010, with another two titles under his belt, Quiros holed a testing par putt on the penultimate hole at the Open de Espana, his home tournament, to become the toast of the country.
He again held his nerve during a frantic final round at Emirates Golf Club last year as he collected the Coffee Pot Trophy, before his snaking eagle putt 11 months ago in the climax to the Race appeared to reinforce his considerable conviction.
However, remembering the special moments has this year grown harder by the week. Quiros, though, is hoping the search for answers is almost complete.
"There is no doubt I can take inspiration from [past experiences]," he said. "I was conscious of the need to change last season because the most difficult thing technically is to develop under pressure.
"After winning in Dubai I thought I was a player who could win tournaments, but I wasn't confident enough to see myself in the top 15 or top 10 in the world. So I asked myself what I had to do to get into that position more, and consistency was the key.
"But focusing on getting a score while my swing was in transition was the hardest thing for me. I focused more on technique, on how I was supposed to do it, rather than just playing, which is why this year has been so bad.
"But I'm getting close now. I'm focused again on dealing with the things I have rather than worry about those I don't. I'm coming back a little, but golf is complicated."
Should Quiros scramble through to Dubai next month, he will have completed the kind of escape even his fabled secret agent would struggle to produce. A successful defence of his crown would presumably be stretching the imagination beyond even Ian Fleming-esque proportions.
"We have to analyse and be honest in every situation and it's not the same as last year," Quiros said.
"We can't expect the same happy ending as last year. But obviously I have a few points in my favour: I have good memories of this tournament and I have good feelings on this course. But I will never think of winning this tournament again. It could happen, but I can't think about it."
Having been significantly shaken this season, it is time for Quiros to stir.
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
MADAME%20WEB
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20S.J.%20Clarkson%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Dakota%20Johnson%2C%20Tahar%20Rahim%2C%20Sydney%20Sweeney%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Results
1. New Zealand Daniel Meech – Fine (name of horse), Richard Gardner – Calisto, Bruce Goodin - Backatorps Danny V, Samantha McIntosh – Check In. Team total First round: 200.22; Second round: 201.75 – Penalties 12 (jump-off 40.16 seconds) Prize €64,000
2. Ireland Cameron Hanley – Aiyetoro, David Simpson – Keoki, Paul Kennedy – Cartown Danger Mouse, Shane Breen – Laith. Team total 200.25/202.84 – P 12 (jump-off 51.79 – P17) Prize €40,000
3. Italy Luca Maria Moneta – Connery, Luca Coata – Crandessa, Simone Coata – Dardonge, Natale Chiaudani – Almero. Team total 130.82/198.-4 – P20. Prize €32,000
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
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.
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
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Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
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Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
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France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
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