DUBAI // Ross Bain, the Dubai-based professional, would presumably welcome comparisons to Rory McIlroy, golf's current world No 1.
However, instead of the two-time major winner's supreme ball-striking or new-found prolificacy with the putter, it is his dodgy timekeeping that bares more than a slight resemblance.
McIlroy's malfunction at the recent Ryder Cup is well known, the Europe star almost missing his match with Keegan Bradley following a mix-up comprehending America's time zones.
The error triggered a mad dash to Medinah Country Club, aided by an unmarked police car and the heavy foot of a state trooper, with McIlroy arriving only 10 minutes before his tee time.
The 23 year old, though, promptly shook off the panic - "it's the most worried I've ever been" - to beat Bradley 2 and 1.
Sadly for Bain, his equally careless counterpart, the Asian Tour does not legislate for such nuisances.
The 36 year old was competing three weeks ago at KJ Choi's CJ Invitational when he slept through his 4.30am alarm call.
He finally came around at 5.55am, with his tee time set for 65 minutes later. Rather inconveniently, his hotel was an hour from the course.
"Yeah, that was an experience," said Bain yesterday, after moving to within three shots of the lead at the Sheikh Maktoum Dubai Open.
"I almost missed my tee time for the first time in 14 years. It was just like Rory McIlroy … only I got the bus.
"I made it by five minutes; it's just a pity I didn't play like Rory. I'm nearly 37 now so the body needs to hit balls and allow a bit of physio to get it moving, so I struggled from the start and eventually missed the cut. It was cold and miserable in South Korea, and I was rubbish."
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