Sport

Friday’s cover: Tiger Woods blowing in the wind on return to Dubai Desert Classic

A forlorn looking Tiger Woods takes The National Sport front page on Friday, February 3 after the 14-time major winner struggled on his return to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

A forlorn looking Tiger Woods takes The National Sport front page on Friday, February 3 after the 14-time major winner struggled on his return to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

Woods, 41, is making his way back after 17 months out with injury, and after missing the cut at last week’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, the former world No 1 was hoping to fare better at Emirates Golf Club.

However, Woods has a lot of work to do just to make the cut, a five-over-par 77 in his opening round leaving the American 12 shots behind leader Sergio Garcia.

In contrast to Woods’s struggles, UAE-based amateur Rayhan Thomas enjoyed his debut Desert Classic round. The 17-year-old from India shot a four-under-par 68 to take his place inside the top eight alongside Henrik Stenson, the world No 4 and Europe’s best golfer.

The National's Paul Radley put together this on the contrast in fortunes of Thomas and Woods.

Meanwhile, John McAuley focused on leader Garcia, who shot his best ever round at the Majlis course, although the Spaniard is expecting much tougher conditions over the weekend.

* The National staff

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport

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