Rory McIlroy is a committed fan of the football side Manchester United and since he was a young boy has enjoyed family bragging rights over his father Gerry, a Manchester City follower, in their Holywood home in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Now he is worried that his dad will be the one doing more of the celebrating after last week's takeover of City by the Abu Dhabi United Group.
"He has been a bit quiet since we won the league championship and European Cup but he has been buzzing since he found out about the Abu Dhabi takeover of City," he said.
"It will be interesting to see what happens in the January transfer window because if City buy a couple more good players they could become a real force in the game. They've certainly got a good manager [Mark Hughes] who can take them forward. Let's hope they don't become as strong as United."
McIlroy is also a keen tennis enthusiast and stayed up late after his play-off defeat in the European Masters on Sunday to watch Scotland's Andy Murray overcome the world No 1 Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals of the US Open.
"I was very impressed with how Andy played and I hope he plays as well against [Roger] Federer in the final," he said.
"I feel I can compare myself in golf with what he is doing in tennis, even though he has made more progress than me towards achieving his goals."
McIlroy will be watching more television when his European Tour colleagues take on the Americans in the Ryder Cup later this month.
"I think Europe have a very strong team this year and it is going to be tough for the United States to win back the trophy," he added.
"I hope to be involved when the next one comes round at Celtic Manor in 2010, but that is not my main objective at the moment.
"The important thing is to play well in the major tournaments. If I do that then the qualifying points will come automatically."
@Email:wjohnson@thenational.ae
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
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
SPEC%20SHEET
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The%20specs
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Mobile phone packages comparison
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Everything Now
Arcade Fire
(Columbia Records)
The specs: 2019 Subaru Forester
Price, base: Dh105,900 (Premium); Dh115,900 (Sport)
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 182hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 239Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.1L / 100km (estimated)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The studios taking part (so far)
- Punch
- Vogue Fitness
- Sweat
- Bodytree Studio
- The Hot House
- The Room
- Inspire Sports (Ladies Only)
- Cryo
THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE
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DUBAI%20BLING%3A%20EPISODE%201
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised
General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.
"It’s trite these days to say that any country punches above its weight, but in every possible way the Emirates did, both militarily, and very importantly, the UAE was extraordinarily helpful on getting to the issue of violent extremism," he said.
He also noted the impact that Hedayah, among others in the UAE, has played in addressing violent extremism.
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
European arms
Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.