The DP World Tour continues its UAE residency this week with the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Here’s the lowdown on one of the circuit’s historic events.
What is it?
First played in 1989, the Dubai Desert Classic represented the then-European Tour’s first event in the region. Hence, it was often referred to as the “Major of the Middle East”. This year’s tournament boasts new title sponsors in Hero, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles, who already have a long affiliation with Europe's lead circuit.
The Desert Classic represents the third of four legs of the tour’s UAE Swing, and as part of the elevated Rolex Series offers increased ranking points and purse - $9 million.
When is it?
Tournament days run January 26-29.
Where is it?
Emirates Golf Club. The tournament has been played on the Majlis course every year except for 1999 and 2000, when it was held at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.
Who’s playing?
This year’s line-up is headlined by world No 1 and four-time major champion Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman has a special connection to the event, since it provided the scene for his first professional victory, in 2009. McIlroy recaptured the trophy in 2015 and has seven other top-10 finishes in his past nine appearances.
Last year, while chasing the win, he bogeyed the final hole to eventually finish third. This week, McIlroy will be up against the likes of Victor Perez, fresh off Sunday’s dramatic win in Abu Dhabi, European Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Tyrrell Hatton and Francesco Molinari, and a host of the tour’s exciting young stars. LIV Golf members Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson (Dubai winner in 2007) and Patrick Reed are also competing.
Who are the past champions?
McIlroy will be seeking to become only the second golfer to secure the famous Dallah trophy three times, after South Africa's Ernie Els (1994, 2002 and 2005). Scot Stephen Gallacher remains the only player to have successfully defended the crown, winning in 2013 and 2014.
Meanwhile, the event’s roll of honour includes many illustrious names, such as two-time champion Tiger Woods, Seve Ballesteros, Colin Montgomerie, Fred Couples, Jose Maria Olazabal and Sergio Garcia. Last year’s winner, Viktor Hovland, does not compete this week.
How to watch in the UAE?
Golf fans can catch the action on TV on "Golf Life", the new channel on eLife and on Switch TV, while selected coverage of the event will also be shown on the DP World Tour YouTube channel. The tournament is streamed on Starzplay across the Mena region.
For those looking to attend, organisers offer free general admission for all tournament days. Fans need to pre-register at https://www.ticketmasteruae.ae.
THE SPECS
Touareg Highline
Engine: 3.0-litre, V6
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Power: 340hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh239,312
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Second ODI
England 322-7 (50 ovs)
India 236 (50 ovs)
England win by 86 runs
Next match: Tuesday, July 17, Headingley
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Other key dates
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Finals draw: December 2
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Finals (including semi-finals and third-placed game): June 5–9, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-off draw: November 22, 2019
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Euro 2020 play-offs: March 26–31, 2020
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
TCL INFO
Teams:
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
When December 14-17
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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