There is a 100-mile corridor which snakes along the coastline of northern Spain that connects Pedrena, the birthplace of Seve Ballesteros, and San Sebastian from where Jose Maria Olazabal hails.
At its midpoint is the town of Barrika, where Jon Rahm was born, the latest Spanish golfing wizard from a region which can surely lay claim to be one of the most fertile in the world for producing champion players.
There is obviously something in the Basque country air that often blows with force off the Bay of Biscay. It is certainly an ideal breeding ground for reconnoitring the vagaries of links golf.
According to the golfing cognoscenti, Rahm, the favourite for The Open at Royal St George’s on the east Kent coast of England which starts on Thursday, has it within his powers to eclipse the feats of both of his illustrious compatriots. In a way it would be bittersweet for Rahm if he were to do so.
Rahm tees off fresh from his heroics at Torrey Pines where he became the first Spaniard to win the US Open. It was an achievement beyond Ballesteros who was a hero for the 26-year-old Rahm and who remains his inspiration.
Rahm dedicated his victory to the legendary Seve who almost single-handedly through his charisma and pure genius propelled European golf into the stratosphere. He died 10 years ago from a brain tumour. “This was definitely for Seve,” Rahm said after the tournament. “We talk about the Masters which he won twice, but I know he wanted to win this (the US Open) most of all.”
Ballesteros was the reason Rahm’s father Edorta took up golf having watched the Ryder Cup at Valderrama in 1997. Seve was the captain of the European team. Years later Rahm’s father was to encourage his football loving son to do so.
Rahm junior was a promising goalkeeper and had set his heart on joining Athletic Bilbao. But aged 14 he decided to concentrate on golf. The following year he won the Spanish Boys Junior Championship and his course was set.
Before then Rahm did meet Ballesteros although he nearly messed up the opportunity. As a 12-year-old he was at a function where Ballesteros and Olazabal were guests of honour. “I knew who Olazabal was,” Rahm explained. “I had no idea who Seve was and I shook Olazabal’s hand and I almost missed Seve.
"And my Dad almost had a heart attack because I had the chance to shake Seve’s hand and I almost didn’t. I have that memory. I never got to meet him again, never got to speak to him again. But I have since become friends with Seve’s son Javier.”
Rahm’s best finish to date in four Open starts is 11th in 2019, but he has twice won the Irish Open on links courses and would love to join the likes of Gene Sarazen, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods in making history.
"It would be pretty incredible to win both Opens in one year. It would be amazing," Rahm said. "I did have a sense of relief after winning the first major. I felt like for the better part of five years, all I heard is major, major, major just because I was playing good golf, as if it was easy to win a major championship.
"But there's still the next one to win, so I still come with the same level of excitement obviously and willingness to win," said Rahm, who this week revealed that he was born with a club foot which required surgery as a boy to correct and explains his short backswing.
How does he feel about being compared with Seve? “I am never going to be him. He was unique, so special, and what he did for golf in Spain was unbelievable.
“He is my idol and it is beautiful in a way to be compared but I am Jon Rahm. Seve influenced thousands. I would be extremely happy to influence one kid to take up golf.”
If he did no doubt it would be a start struck boy from northern Spain.
WORLD'S%2010%20HIGHEST%20MOUNTAINS
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
MO
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
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 TWIN BIO
Their favourite city: Dubai
Their favourite food: Khaleeji
Their favourite past-time : walking on the beach
Their favorite quote: ‘we rise by lifting others’ by Robert Ingersoll
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: seven-speed PDK dual clutch automatic
Power: 375bhp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh332,800
On sale: now
States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Pathaan
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Civil%20War
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BRIEF SCORES:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
About Tenderd
Started: May 2018
Founder: Arjun Mohan
Based: Dubai
Size: 23 employees
Funding: Raised $5.8m in a seed fund round in December 2018. Backers include Y Combinator, Beco Capital, Venturesouq, Paul Graham, Peter Thiel, Paul Buchheit, Justin Mateen, Matt Mickiewicz, SOMA, Dynamo and Global Founders Capital
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday Spezia v Lazio (6pm), Juventus v Torino (9pm), Inter Milan v Bologna (7.45pm)
Sunday Verona v Cagliari (3.30pm), Parma v Benevento, AS Roma v Sassuolo, Udinese v Atalanta (all 6pm), Crotone v Napoli (9pm), Sampdoria v AC Milan (11.45pm)
Monday Fiorentina v Genoa (11.45pm)
The%20specs
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A German university was a good fit for the family budget
Annual fees for the Technical University of Munich - £600
Shared rental accommodation per month depending on the location ranges between £200-600
The family had budgeted for food, books, travel, living expenses - £20,000 annually
Overall costs in Germany are lower than the family estimated
As proof that the student has the ability to take care of expenses, international students must open a blocked account with about £8,640
Students are permitted to withdraw £720 per month
