ABU DHABI // South Africa might have an ancient and sworn rivalry with New Zealand on the rugby field, but two of the country’s golfers have had an All Black great supporting them at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship this week.
Zinzan Brooke, the former New Zealand No 8, is in the capital this week providing rugby tuition as a guest of Middle East Touch.
The trip from his home in the UK has allowed him to indulge one of his other sporting passions, too.
Brooke plays off a handicap of eight, and he won the week’s Pro-Am on the eve of the championship in a group with Branden Grace, the world No 16 from South Africa.
He is clearly on form. “What capped it off was I went over to the chipping range in the village, and I got a hole-in-one,” Brooke said, early on Day 3.
“When I arrived first thing this morning, there was no one around so I asked the guys if I could have a go, and they said yes. The first shot I had went straight in, so that was a good start to the day.”
His Pro-Am success won him a new golf bag, and a new pal. He also has a pre-existing friendship with Ernie Els, Grace’s compatriot and Brooke’s neighbour at Berkshire in
England.
Els missed the cut after shooting 5-over for the opening two rounds at the National Course, but Grace has been his usual consistent self, in contention at 4 under when the halfway cut came.
“What a great guy,” Brooke said of Grace. “I was pleased for him on the first day, he got to
6 under, although he dropped [in Round 2].
“You just need one strong day, to have the confidence. This game is all in the head and all about confidence.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
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How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
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