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.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The years Ramadan fell in May
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The years Ramadan fell in May
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Profile
Name: Carzaty
Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar
Launched: 2017
Employees: 22
Based: Dubai and Muscat
Sector: Automobile retail
Funding to date: $5.5 million
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Price, base / as tested: Dh76,900 / Dh110,900
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder
Gearbox: Nine-speed automatic
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Name: Timothy Husband
Nationality: New Zealand
Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney
Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier
Favourite music: Billy Joel
Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
The five pillars of Islam
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UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Jetour T1 specs
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Power: 254hp
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The five pillars of Islam
