ABU DHABI // On the face of it, Rory McIlroy’s 2014 began much like his 2013. There were fireworks, confirmation of a game-changing decision and the customary conjecture about how it would affect his golf.
Yet, with two significant modifications – one professional and the other personal – he said he had anticipated that there would be contrasting consequences, too.
“This year is a polar opposite,” a relaxed-looking McIlroy said Tuesday as he prepared to begin his season at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, which starts Thursday.
“Everything seems to have fallen into place nicely, and I can just go out there and focus on my golf and try to play as well as I can.”
It was a little different 12 months ago. For all the hullabaloo of his expected switch to Nike – golf’s worst-kept secret was affirmed at a glitzy lights show in Abu Dhabi – McIlroy’s equipment change precipitated a damp squib of a year.
Winless until December, knocked off his perch at the top of the world rankings and with nagging management issues casting a long shadow on his season, 2013 halted a career ascent that had been steep and staggering.
But if the campaign brought golf’s bright, young thing to his knees, it was the resumption of that position that suggests the old swagger is back.
A few weeks ago McIlroy was bringing in the New Year alongside tennis-star girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki, watching the Opera House fireworks on a boat in Sydney Harbour and ready to take the metaphorical plunge. Question popped, he promptly took to Twitter to announce: “My first victory of 2014 #shesaidyes!!”
As he recounted the story publicly for the first time yesterday, McIlroy was playing it as coy as a loved-up newlywed.
“It’s a funny story, too long to go in to,” he said, before rejecting the gathered media’s pleas to divulge details. “No, I’ll keep that between us.”
While the particulars of the proposal remained under wraps, McIlroy had no problem communicating what he hoped would be its long-lasting effect.
“It will only help to have that stability and know that everything in that regard in my life is set,” he said. “It’s a big step in anyone’s life to make that decision, but I feel she’s definitely the right girl for me. It was a great way to end 2013 and a great way to start 2014.”
Having gifted Wozniacki a considerable sparkler, McIlroy’s game also seems set to shine. In truth, there were shafts of illumination towards the latter part of last season, as he travelled golf’s global map searching for enlightenment.
Promising performances in South Korea, China, Dubai and then victory in Australia restored confidence that, he admitted, had been dented, and the initial few weeks post-engagement have been diamond, too.
McIlroy said he had been working hard at the Butch Harmon School in Dubai and his renewed belief in his undoubted ability, minus the distractions of last year, suggest a welcome return to form. But do not just take his word for it.
“I think he’s going to have a great year,” Phil Mickelson, the world No 5, said yesterday. “I really do. He’s too talented to have another year like last year.”
McIlroy’s demeanour reflected such optimism. The winner of a US Open and a USPGA Championship has even targeted doubling his haul of majors.
“I’m feeling good about my game; good about where I am mentally,” he said. “It’s hopefully shaping up to be a good year.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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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
Directed: Smeep Kang
Produced: Soham Rockstar Entertainment; SKE Production
Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Jimmy Sheirgill, Sunny Singh, Omkar Kapoor, Rajesh Sharma
Rating: Two out of five stars
What is a robo-adviser?
Robo-advisers use an online sign-up process to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance by feeding information such as their age, income, saving goals and investment history into an algorithm, which then assigns them an investment portfolio, ranging from more conservative to higher risk ones.
These portfolios are made up of exchange traded funds (ETFs) with exposure to indices such as US and global equities, fixed-income products like bonds, though exposure to real estate, commodity ETFs or gold is also possible.
Investing in ETFs allows robo-advisers to offer fees far lower than traditional investments, such as actively managed mutual funds bought through a bank or broker. Investors can buy ETFs directly via a brokerage, but with robo-advisers they benefit from investment portfolios matched to their risk tolerance as well as being user friendly.
Many robo-advisers charge what are called wrap fees, meaning there are no additional fees such as subscription or withdrawal fees, success fees or fees for rebalancing.
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Brief scores:
Southampton 2
Armstrong 13', Soares 20'
Manchester United 2
Lukaku 33', Herrera 39'
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
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- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
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- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
