L-R: Danny can Otterdijk, Chief Communications Officer, DP World, General Abdullah Al Hashmi, Vice Chairman, Emirates Golf Federation, Tom Phillips, Head of the Middle East, DP World Tour. Photo: DP World Tour
L-R: Danny can Otterdijk, Chief Communications Officer, DP World, General Abdullah Al Hashmi, Vice Chairman, Emirates Golf Federation, Tom Phillips, Head of the Middle East, DP World Tour. Photo: DP World Tour
L-R: Danny can Otterdijk, Chief Communications Officer, DP World, General Abdullah Al Hashmi, Vice Chairman, Emirates Golf Federation, Tom Phillips, Head of the Middle East, DP World Tour. Photo: DP W
Organisers of the DP World Tour Championship are confident next month’s event will have the biggest turnout of spectators in tournament history.
The season-ending event on the DP World Tour – formerly the European Tour – takes place November 17-20 at Jumeirah Golf Estates. On Monday, as organisers marked one month to go until the first tee shot, Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick were confirmed for the tournament, as the pair each attempt to become the event’s first three-time winner.
McIlroy, a four-time major champion, leads the season-long DP World Tour Rankings – he has been crowned European No 1 three times before - while reigning US Open champion Fitzpatrick sits second.
Discussing how preparations are taking shape four weeks out, Tom Phillips, head of the Middle East, DP World Tour, said: “We’re really excited. It really feels like it’s just around the corner.
"And we’ve just confirmed that the top two of our Race to Dubai will be here, with Rory McIlroy and Matt Fitzpatrick fighting it out for the DP World Tour Rankings. The top 50 on the rankings qualify, so the field is taking shape every week when a tournament goes by.
“To have those two at the top of the race battling it out with others is really exciting. We’re very lucky. This is our season finale and the players year-in, year-out want to come, want to win the rankings, want to be the DP World Tour No 1.
“But also they love coming to the UAE, to Dubai, to Jumeirah Golf Estates; the Earth Course is a fantastic venue. They get well looked after in terms of hospitality. The players love it.
“So that combination of wanting to come back to Dubai but also wanting to come back to compete in such a big event means we get really strong fields year-on-year.”
Next month’s event marks the first DP World Tour Championship without any restrictions since the Covid-19 pandemic. Organisers have planned a number of new initiatives for the tournament, now in its 14th year, with spectators welcome for the first time to attend five days including Tuesday's Pro-Am.
Rory McIlroy staged a stunning fightback to win the PGA Tour Championship in Georgia. USA TODAY Sports
Rory McIlroy with the FedEx Cup after winning the final round of the PGA Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. AFP
Rory McIlroy walks off the 17th tee as Scottie Scheffler looks on during the final round of the PGA Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club. AFP
Rory McIlroy plays his shot from the 17th tee. AFP
Scottie Scheffler congratulates Rory McIlroy on the 18th green after McIlroy won on Sunday. AFP
Rory McIlroy celebrates his win. AFP
“We’re already seeing there’s a real appetite this year for people wanting to come back and watch live sports events,” Phillips said. “We’ve seen it with our hospitality tickets – they're already up 25 per cent on previous years at this stage.
“We have free entry for general access - fans can register in advance - and those registrations are going through the roof. So we’re expecting probably a bigger turnout than we’ve ever had before.
“We’re catering obviously for golf fans, but we’re trying to cater for non-golf fans also. This year we’ve a family day, a ladies day, a community day. We’re opening up the Pro-Am on the Tuesday for people to come and watch, and no doubt there’ll be some celebrities taking part in that - footballers, F1 drivers, cricketers have already requested to play. That’ll be a fun day.
“So it’s showing all the signs of being a really, really popular week both on and off the course."
Matt Fitzpatrick holds the championship trophy after winning the 2022 US Open at Brookline, Massachusetts, USA. Reuters
Matt Fitzpatrick lines up a putt on the 18th green during the final round of the US Open. Reuters
Matt Fitzpatrick and Will Zalatoris shake hands after completing the final round. Englishman Fitzpatrick carded a six-under 68 to win by a single shot. Reuters
Matt Fitzpatrick talks to commentator Mike Tirico after winning the US Open. Reuters
Matt Fitzpatrick of England putts on the 18th green during the final round of the 2022 US Open. EPA
Matt Fitzpatrick of England is embraced by his brother Alex. EPA
Matt Fitzpatrick of England along with father Russell, brother Alex and mother Susan, holds the trophy after winning the 2022 US Open. EPA
Matt Fitzpatrick of England hits from the bunker to the 18th green. EPA
Matt Fitzpatrick of England lines up a shot on the 15th green. EPA
Matt Fitzpatrick plays his shot from the eighth tee. Reuters
Matt Fitzpatrick of England reacts to a missed putt on the ninth green. EPA
Matt Fitzpatrick of England plays his shot from the fourth tee. AFP
Matt Fitzpatrick of England plays his shot from the third tee. AFP
Matt Fitzpatrick of England reacts to a missed putt for birdie on the ninth green. AFP
Matt Fitzpatrick of England celebrates winning on the 18th green with caddie Billy Foster. AFP
Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow? a) More than $102 b) Exactly $102 c) Less than $102 d) Do not know e) Refuse to answer
Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account? a) More than today b) Exactly the same as today c) Less than today d) Do not know e) Refuse to answer
Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.” a) True b) False d) Do not know e) Refuse to answer
The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Answers:Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).
Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un shake hands ahead of one-on-one discussion
US and North Korean teams sit down for bilateral summit
Kim: “I believe this is a good prelude for peace."
Trump: “We will solve it, we will be successful.”
All times UTC 4
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors Power: 659hp Torque: 1075Nm On sale: Available for pre-order now Price: On request
BlacKkKlansman
Director: Spike Lee
Starring: John David Washington; Adam Driver
Five stars
Credits
Produced by: Colour Yellow Productions and Eros Now Director: Mudassar Aziz Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jassi Gill, Piyush Mishra, Diana Penty, Aparshakti Khurrana Star rating: 2.5/5
Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
The biog
Fast facts on Neil Armstrong’s personal life:
Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio
He earned his private pilot’s license when he was 16 – he could fly before he could drive
There was tragedy in his married life: Neil and Janet Armstrong’s daughter Karen died at the age of two in 1962 after suffering a brain tumour. She was the couple’s only daughter. Their two sons, Rick and Mark, consulted on the film
After Armstrong departed Nasa, he bought a farm in the town of Lebanon, Ohio, in 1971 – its airstrip allowed him to tap back into his love of flying
In 1994, Janet divorced Neil after 38 years of marriage. Two years earlier, Neil met Carol Knight, who became his second wife in 1994
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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.
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
All you need to know about Formula E in Saudi Arabia
What The Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix
When Saturday
Where Diriyah in Saudi Arabia
What time Qualifying takes place from 11.50am UAE time through until the Super Pole session, which is due to end at 12.55pm. The race, which will last for 45 minutes, starts at 4.05pm.
Who is competing There are 22 drivers, from 11 teams, on the grid, with each vehicle run solely on electronic power.
