The burning issue leading up to today's opening drives in what should be an intriguing US Masters has been how one of the world's leading sporting personalities is going to cope with the enormous distractions brought about by a crisis in his domestic life.
Few of the billions of words uttered and published on that subject have been focused on Phil Mickelson, however. Mickelson, for many years the leading threat to Tiger Woods at the top of the rankings, has been burdened at least as much as Woods by marital problems over the last few months. Only "Lefty's" problems were not of his own making.
Amy Mickelson, a devoted "golf widow" in the same way as Elin Woods used to be as their husbands chased fame and fortune at home and abroad, has been fighting a recovery battle against breast cancer since receiving a diagnosis nearly a year ago.
Amy has expressed a desire to be at her husband's side as he begins his challenge for a third green jacket at Augusta National today. Mrs Woods has no intention of offering similar support.
The differences between Woods and Mickelson are plentiful and their contrasting personalities have frequently put them on a collision course, leaving the watching public in little doubt they have little time for each other.
Mickelson resisted any temptation to criticise Woods as the world No 1 embarked on his road to redemption from the scandals which emerged last year from a hitherto top-secret private life.
Instead, Mickelson went as far as to declare that an apology from Woods to his fellow professionals for causing such a massive distraction before the first major of the season was unnecessary in view of Woods's enormous influence on the development of the sport over the last decade.
Anxiety over his wife's welfare has been a big factor in Mickelson failing to capitalise on the self-imposed exile of Woods. Indeed Woods was runner-up to Mickelson on the 37th and last time Lefty captured a PGA title - at the Tour championships last September.
The form book becomes an irrelevance for Mickelson, at Augusta, however.
In 17 appearances the Californian has supplemented his triumphs of 2004 and 2006 with a further four top-three finishes, two more in the top five and a total of 12 in the top 10. Only once has he failed to make the halfway cut.
That liking for the course and his impressive history there indicate that Mickelson is a genuine contender to be feted for the third occasion in the Butler Cabin on Sunday evening rather than witness a fifth presentation ceremony for Woods.
@Email:wjohnson@thenational.ae
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: 2-litre
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 255hp
Torque: 273Nm
Price: Dh240,000
Brief scores:
Manchester City 2
Gundogan 27', De Bruyne 85'
Crystal Palace 3
Schlupp 33', Townsend 35', Milivojevic 51' (pen)
Man of the Match: Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace)
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
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
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
Company%C2%A0profile
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Dubai Rugby Sevens
November 30-December 2, at The Sevens, Dubai
Gulf Under 19
Pool A – Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Jumeirah College Tigers, Dubai English Speaking School 1, Gems World Academy
Pool B – British School Al Khubairat, Bahrain Colts, Jumeirah College Lions, Dubai English Speaking School 2
Pool C - Dubai College A, Dubai Sharks, Jumeirah English Speaking School, Al Yasmina
Pool D – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Deira International School
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m, Winner SS Lamea, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer).
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,400m, Winner AF Makerah, Sean Kirrane, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m, Winner Maaly Al Reef, Brett Doyle, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,600m, Winner AF Momtaz, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m, Winner Morjanah Al Reef, Brett Doyle, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 2,200m, Winner Mudarrab, Jim Crowley, Erwan Charpy
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
