SHANGHAI // Phil Mickelson isn't quite ready to join the European Tour this year. If he decides to it is because he sees the future of the sport outside the United States.
Mickelson is in China to defend the HSBC Champions title he won last year, a tournament that's being billed as 'Asia's major.' It's not much of an exaggeration. There's a US$5 million (Dh18.3m) purse and the field includes the No. 2 ranked Mickelson, the British Open and PGA winner Padraig Harrington, and the Masters champion Trevor Immelman.
Sergio Garcia, Anthony Kim, Camilo Villegas, Robert Karlsson, KJ Choi and Adam Scott are also in the field.
The event is also the first of the 2009 European Tour season, which culminates with the inaugural Dubai World Championship and its $10 million in prize money.
The numbers have caught Mickelson's attention. "I'm not ready to commit to it," Mickelson said, suggesting the 2009 European season might be too early. "It might be something I do next year. I wouldn't rule it out."
Beginning this season, the European Tour will require members to play 12 events, up from 11. The four major championships and three World Golf Championships - six of those seven are held in the United States - count toward the 12. Mickelson suggested it would be easy to play five more tournaments on the European Tour and still play in the USA but he would want to be an active member in Europe.
"When I commit to the European I expect to play, not just the minimum, but to really be a part of the tour. I'm just not ready now to commit to that. I'm not going to rule it out for the future. I think that's where the game is growing and is heading. The European Tour has made great strides," he said.
Mickelson's stance has taken a backward turn in a just a few years. Once criticised for seldom playing outside the United States, Mickelson's victory last year in Shanghai came in his first foray into Asia.
It was also only his second victory outside the US. He's now a vocal backer of the international game and wants golf in the Olympics.
"I think the biggest growth opportunity for the game of golf is internationally," he added. "If golf can become an Olympic sport in 2016, that will lead to an influx of capital and an increase of opportunities for kids to get into the game."
Mickelson also has four of his sponsors in mind, Barclays bank, Callaway Golf, the accounting company KPMG and Exxon Mobile.
"Those four companies have a global footprint," he said. "Their biggest areas of growth are not in the United States. They're international.
"I want to take advantage of the global opportunities that are out there for golf. It seems as though wealth is being created on an international basis. I'd like to help with the growth as well as partake in its success."
*AP
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Freezer tips
- Always make sure food is completely cool before freezing.
- If you’re cooking in large batches, divide into either family-sized or individual portions to freeze.
- Ensure the food is well wrapped in foil or cling film. Even better, store in fully sealable, labelled containers or zip-lock freezer bags.
- The easiest and safest way to defrost items such as the stews and sauces mentioned is to do so in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
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Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
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Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket