The highest ranked player in the field will go head to head with the defending champion when Bryson DeChambeau and Haotong Li are paired together in the last group of the final day of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
DeChambeau, the world No 5, will hold a one-shot advantage at the top of the leaderboard when the two players start their last round at the Majlis at 12.45pm on Sunday.
The American reached 16-under par after carding 68 in Round 3. Li, who won out when facing another well-celebrated playing partner – Rory McIlroy – when he took the title last year, is on 15-under.
Ernie Els, who is chasing a fourth Classic title 14 years after his last, is two shots behind, in a tie for third with Matt Wallace.
DeChambeau said he has been some way off his best so far in Dubai, despite heading the leaderboard after rounds of 66, 66 and 68.
“Man, I'm just not 100 per cent with my golf game right now,” DeChambeau said.
“Shoot, I'm still leading, obviously. It's fantastic. I couldn't be displeased with that, but my expectation levels are for how I know I can perform, and I feel like I'm underperforming a little bit.
“I’m still in the lead, and still got the job done. I made it happen when it's necessary, and hopefully I can have one more of those days, and maybe even a better ball-striking day.”
DeChambeau, who is returning to Dubai for the first time since making his debut at the Classic as an amateur in 2016, has won four times in the past nine months on the PGA Tour, and three times in his past eight starts.
He said he is confident he can work out a way to do the same at Emirates Gold Club, and is unconcerned by being matched with last year’s winner.
“I know even while not at my best, I can get it done,” DeChambeau said. “I've done it before, and so if the worst comes to worst tomorrow, I'll figure out a way.
“I don't worry about other people. I just go out and try and dominate the golf course to the best of my ability, and hopefully that will show tomorrow.”
If Li does defend the Dallah Trophy, he will become just the second player, after Stephen Gallacher, to retain the Classic title.
“It definitely would mean a lot, and I just want to play my best over there and hopefully hold the trophy again,” Li said, after signing for a third-consecutive round of 67.
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THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
QUALIFYING RESULTS
1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1 minute, 35.246 seconds.
2. Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, 1:35.271.
3. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:35.332.
4. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.497.
5. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Red Bull Racing Honda, 1:35.571.
6. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, McLaren Renault, 1:35.815.
7. Daniil Kvyat, Russia, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:35.963.
8. Lance Stroll, Canada, Racing Point BWT Mercedes, 1:36.046.
9. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:36.065.
10. Pierre Gasly, France, Scuderia Toro Rosso Honda, 1:36.242.
Eliminated after second session
11. Esteban Ocon, France, Renault, 1:36.359.
12. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Renault, 1:36.406.
13. Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Ferrari, 1:36.631.
14. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:38.248.
Eliminated after first session
15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.075.
16. Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing Ferrari, 1:37.555.
17. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas Ferrari, 1:37.863.
18. George Russell, Great Britain, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.045.
19. Pietro Fittipaldi, Brazil, Haas Ferrari, 1:38.173.
20. Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams Mercedes, 1:38.443.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Voices: How A Great Singer Can Change Your Life
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Jonathan Cape
