Given his finish at Yas Links last weekend, Victor Perez might have been forgiven for putting his feet up and spending this week counting all of the €1.4 million ($1.52m) or so that was newly arrived in his bank account.
Or maybe spend it polishing the shiny new Falcon Trophy that was now in his possession. Or just have a party.
Instead, the 2023 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner has been straight back to work, and in fine style, too.
Rather than dwell on his success last week, the Frenchman has opted to follow the path of making hay while the sun shines. A good few more euros and Ryder Cup ranking points are heading his way as a result.
And there is still the outside chance of another Rolex Series title, eight days after the last one.
Perez kept himself in sight of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic leader, Rory McIlroy, after shooting a 6-under-par 66 in Sunday’s delayed third round. It took him to 11-under for the tournament, four shots behind the world No 1.
Perez said the Northern Irishman provides an example for players like himself who are aspiring to reach the top echelons of the sport.
“I think the good side of [winning a Rolex Series event] it is that you know you're playing well, so obviously that gives you a lot of confidence,” Perez said.
Perez wins in Abu Dhabi
“The downside is people might expect you to play well. You have to try to make the best of both worlds.
“The best players in the world deal with that every week, so eventually if you want to progress and lead to the top 20, or 10, or No 1 in the world, you have to [manage that].
“Rory is expected to a play great and win almost every week that he tees it up. It's something that you have to learn how to manage.”
Perez did not drop a shot in his third round, but acknowledged it was scratchier than the scorecard suggested, and he chipped in for birdie on the par-5 third hole.
He also pointed out that it would require another low score if he is to stand a chance of reeling in two-time Classic champion McIlroy over the closing 18 on Monday, but he is glad to be in the conversation again.
“It would be incredible to go back-to-back, obviously two Rolex Series events to start the year would be incredible,” Perez said.
“I think it would be probably the best start in European Tour history, or something like that. It would be great.
“It's going to be a tough battle with some great players and it's going to take a low one to get it done tomorrow.”
Company profile
Name: GiftBag.ae
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2011
Number of employees: 4
Sector: E-commerce
Funding: Self-funded to date
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Freezer tips
- Always make sure food is completely cool before freezing.
- If you’re cooking in large batches, divide into either family-sized or individual portions to freeze.
- Ensure the food is well wrapped in foil or cling film. Even better, store in fully sealable, labelled containers or zip-lock freezer bags.
- The easiest and safest way to defrost items such as the stews and sauces mentioned is to do so in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 630bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh810,000
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
'Ashkal'
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Youssef%20Chebbi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fatma%20Oussaifi%20and%20Mohamed%20Houcine%20Grayaa%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
THE BIO
Occupation: Specialised chief medical laboratory technologist
Age: 78
Favourite destination: Always Al Ain “Dar Al Zain”
Hobbies: his work - “ the thing which I am most passionate for and which occupied all my time in the morning and evening from 1963 to 2019”
Other hobbies: football
Favorite football club: Al Ain Sports Club
