It was an unforgettable week at the rain-affected Hero Dubai Desert Classic. Here are some of the highlights – and low points.
Champion: Rory McIlroy
All the perceived bad guys seemed to be ganging up on the DP World Tour’s leading player and its shining beacon.
At various times, LIV Golf members Patrick Reed, Ian Poulter, Richard Bland, and Henrik Stenson were all within sight of McIlroy in the final throes of an all-time classic Classic.
He required nerves of steel to see off the challenge of Reed over a thrilling final 18, culminating in a 14-and-half footer for birdie to give him the Dallah Trophy for the third time.
“Mentally today was probably one of the toughest rounds I've ever had to play because it would be really easy to let your emotions get in the way,” he said immediately after draining the winning putt.
“I just had to really concentrate on focusing on myself, and forget who was up there on the leaderboard. I did that really, really well.”
They said it
“No." - McIlroy when asked on the eve of the tournament if it is likely bridges between him and Sergio Garcia could be mended anytime soon. Keith Pelley, the DP World Tour chief executive, recently raised the possibility of Garcia being picked for Europe’s Ryder Cup side by captain Luke Donald. McIlroy revealed last month he had been told to shut up with his opinions about LIV Golf by the Spaniard.
“It’s unfortunate because we’ve always had a good relationship. But it is one of those things. If you’re going to act like an immature little child then you might as well be treated like one.” - Patrick Reed explained why he tossed a tee in McIlroy’s direction after the world No 1 blanked him at the range on Tuesday.
“To see my surname and his surname together in the leaderboard was pretty cool. That's why I made bogey, to be close to him.” - Angel Hidalgo, the 24-year-old Spanish rookie, finished Round 1 on the same score – 6-under par – as McIlroy. He said the idea of playing in the same group as him was a thrill.
“Two on course referees and several marshals identified that Patrick Reed’s ball had become lodged in a specific tree following his tee shot on 17. The DP World Tour chief referee joined the player in the area and asked him to identify his distinctive ball markings. Using binoculars, the chief referee was satisfied that a ball with those markings was lodged in the tree.” - The organisers issued a statement to clarify why Reed did not have to return to the tee to play his third shot at 17 in Round 3, after broadcast footage suggested he might have been barking up the wrong palm tree.
Best shots
Ryan Fox, Day 1, Hole 7, first shot
Just before the horn blew for the close of play on a curtailed first day, McIlroy arrowed his tee shot at the par-3 7th to within four feet.
Fox followed him, and went even closer. From the tee, it must have looked like an ace was incoming. It ended a foot shy, but earned him a fist bump from McIlroy nonetheless.
McIlroy, Day 2 (Round 1), Hole 8, first shot
Eagles at the par-4 8th are as rare as snowmen on Jumeirah Beach. There were few clues that one was in the offing as the world No 1 walked into the wasteland to find his ball.
With 116 yards to the hole, he picked his 54-degree wedge from his bag, choked down the grip – and promptly holed it. He was welcomed to the green by chants of “Easy! Easy!”
Reed, Day 5 (Round 4), Hole 6, third shot
McIlroy started People’s Monday four strokes ahead of Reed, but made a flat start. Reed, meantime, was burning up the course.
He was breathing down his rival’s neck when he holed exquisitely from the bunker at the tough par-4 6th for birdie. McIlroy, playing in the following group, struck his next shot to almost exactly where Reed had hit from, but had to settle for par.
Reed, Day 5 (Round 4), Hole 10, second shot
After eight pars to start his final round, McIlroy had finally sunk a birdie putt at the 9th to extend his lead over Reed to two strokes, just as the American was walking to address his second at the 10th.
His response was sensational, as his 245-yard approach shaved the hole for what would have been an albatross. His tap-in eagle tied the lead.
McIlroy, Day 5 (Round 4), Hole 18, second shot
Laying up goes against everything McIlroy believes in. Well, he almost never does it at 18 at the Majlis, anyway. And he only had a piffling 196 yards to get it onto the green from where he had driven to.
But he was on the hazard line, and hitting from the rough. Birdie would give him the tournament, par would be enough for a playoff. He opted to lob it down the fairway, chipped from there to 15 feet, and holed for the title.
Worst shots
Reed, Tuesday, the range
The American tossed one of his Team Aces LIV tee pegs at McIlroy after the world No 1 blanked him at the range two days ahead of the scheduled start. So errant was his aim, McIlroy said he did not even see it.
Francesco Molinari, Day 1, Hole 1, first shot
The Italian had his hopes of playing himself into contention for a place in a home Ryder Cup buoyed by an improved showing in Abu Dhabi last week.
His good mood will have dissipated immediately after his first blow of the Classic. His tee shot at the first nearly found the driving range, so far left did he pull it. It settled between two of the new, rain-induced water hazards.
He ended up with a double-bogey, rarely got going thereafter, and ended up missing the cut.
Nicolai Hojgaard, Day 3 (Round 2), Hole 18, second shot
Accepted wisdom has it that the par-5 18th plays easier during the Classic than it does the rest of the year. Based on the fact the players can use the hospitality boxes as a backboard if they are shooting ambitious approaches in from distance.
But Hojgaard’s miss with his second at the end of Round 2 was comically wide – ending up more or less pin high, but amongst the corporate guests on the second tier. He ended with par.
McIlroy, Day 4 (Round 3), Hole 18, second shot
McIlroy, the 18th green at the Majlis, and Sundays at the Desert Classic are an ill-starred love triangle. The Northern Irishman just cannot help himself but try to make a play.
In 2022, it cost him the tournament when he fired his long approach into the water guarding the final green. He did the same this Sunday, too, but at least he still had a day to atone.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
Company profile
Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018
Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: Health-tech
Size: 22 employees
Funding: Seed funding
Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica
Best Agent: Jorge Mendes
Best Club : Liverpool
Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP
Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart
Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)
Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)
Best Women's Player: Lucy Bronze
Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi
Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)
Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs
england euro squad
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Man Utd), Sam Johnstone (West Brom), Jordan Pickford (Everton)
Defenders: John Stones (Man City), Luke Shaw (Man Utd), Harry Maguire (Man Utd), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (Man City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Reece James (Chelsea), Conor Coady (Wolves), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Kalvin Phillips (Leeds)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Man Utd), Raheem Sterling (Man City), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Phil Foden (Man City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
If you go
- The nearest international airport to the start of the Chuysky Trakt is in Novosibirsk. Emirates (www.emirates.com) offer codeshare flights with S7 Airlines (www.s7.ru) via Moscow for US$5,300 (Dh19,467) return including taxes. Cheaper flights are available on Flydubai and Air Astana or Aeroflot combination, flying via Astana in Kazakhstan or Moscow. Economy class tickets are available for US$650 (Dh2,400).
- The Double Tree by Hilton in Novosibirsk ( 7 383 2230100,) has double rooms from US$60 (Dh220). You can rent cabins at camp grounds or rooms in guesthouses in the towns for around US$25 (Dh90).
- The transport Minibuses run along the Chuysky Trakt but if you want to stop for sightseeing, hire a taxi from Gorno-Altaisk for about US$100 (Dh360) a day. Take a Russian phrasebook or download a translation app. Tour companies such as Altair-Tour ( 7 383 2125115 ) offer hiking and adventure packages.
The Details
Kabir Singh
Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
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UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
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Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
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Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.4-litre%204-cylinder%20turbo%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20366hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E550Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESix-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh360%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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The biog
Nickname: Mama Nadia to children, staff and parents
Education: Bachelors degree in English Literature with Social work from UAE University
As a child: Kept sweets on the window sill for workers, set aside money to pay for education of needy families
Holidays: Spends most of her days off at Senses often with her family who describe the centre as part of their life too
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
