Rory McIlroy is within sight of a season-ending double in Dubai after finishing the third round of the DP World Tour Championship in a three-way tie for the lead.
The Northern Irishman was already as good as assured of winning the Race to Dubai title for a sixth time when he arrived at the Earth Course at the start of the week.
He has put himself in a strong position to add the Tour Championship to his haul, as he is on 12-under par alongside Rasmus Hojgaard and Antoine Rozner ahead of Sunday’s final round.
If McIlroy can hold off the other contenders, it will be the third time he has capped a season with the Dubai double.
“It’s a great opportunity to end the year on a really high note,” McIlroy said. “I’m going to go out there tomorrow and give it everything I can and hopefully things fall my way and I’m able to stand on that 18th green with both trophies.
“I’ve been able to do it twice before [and] to do it again would be great. I’ve been really proud of my consistency, especially on this tour [this season].
“In European Tour events, and Rolex Series events, it doesn’t feel like I’ve finished outside the top five in many of them this year. It would be a great way to finish the year.”
The world No 3 might have been even better placed were it not for a disappointing finish to his third round of 68. He would have hoped for a birdie or better after landing his tee-shot at the 18th in prime position, but had to settle for a par.
“I was ready to hit, and then it just seemed like the group in front [of Joaquin Niemann and Tyrrell Hatton] weren't really hurrying to get off the back of green,” McIlroy said.
“It felt like I had to wait an extra two or three minutes for that. I let that affect me a little bit and I came out of the six iron.
“It’s hard. That’s always a hard bunker shot [from the greenside bunker] going towards the water. I left myself in a good spot and hit a good putt, but was just a little too firm on that one.”
On Sunday, McIlroy will be going out in the final match for the fourth time this week. His playing partner this time will be Hojgaard, who is aiming to keep the Tour Championship trophy in the family.
His brother, Nicolai, was the champion at Jumeirah Golf Estates 12 months ago. He has been unable to defend his title, given he did not qualify among the top 50 players in the Race to Dubai, which was the criteria to enter.
The name Hojgaard could yet be inscribed on the trophy for a second time in successive years, though. Twin brother Rasmus reached 12-under thanks to an outstanding, 6-under-par 66 on Saturday, and he thinks it would be “pretty cool” if he can emulate his sibling.
“We talked about it earlier this week how cool it would be, if another Højgaard could defend the title,” Rasmus said. “It would be quite cool if that was to happen.
“I try not to worry too much of what’s ahead of me. [I will] try and play one hole at a time and see if I can get the best score possible out of that hole, just like 18. That’s my target for tomorrow, try and keep the bogeys away.”
Hojgaard was referencing his adventures at the par-5 18th at the end of his second round. He did well to scramble a par having hit his tee-shot into the creek, then his third shot wide of the green to the right.
“It was looking more like an eight at one point,” he said. “It was incredible. It wasn't an easy pitch shot, short right, got it up and had a decent chance to hole the putt. I had already written down a six on my scorecard, so I am very happy.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
Brief scores:
QPR 0
Watford 1
Capoue 45' 1
11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
DMZ facts
- The DMZ was created as a buffer after the 1950-53 Korean War.
- It runs 248 kilometers across the Korean Peninsula and is 4km wide.
- The zone is jointly overseen by the US-led United Nations Command and North Korea.
- It is littered with an estimated 2 million mines, tank traps, razor wire fences and guard posts.
- Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un met at a building in Panmunjom, where an armistice was signed to stop the Korean War.
- Panmunjom is 52km north of the Korean capital Seoul and 147km south of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.
- Former US president Bill Clinton visited Panmunjom in 1993, while Ronald Reagan visited the DMZ in 1983, George W. Bush in 2002 and Barack Obama visited a nearby military camp in 2012.
- Mr Trump planned to visit in November 2017, but heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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