Course change
The organisers of the DP World Tour Championship said they would contemplate staging the season-ending event on the Fire Course in the future. The finale to the Race to Dubai has been played on the Earth Course since its inception, when Lee Westwood won both the tournament and the Order of Merit in 2009. However, a switch to the other 18-hole set up on the same site in the future is a possibility. “If the Fire Course can deliver it, then why not?” said Julian Small, the managing director of club operations at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
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RORY McILROY LIVES UP TO STAR BILLING AT THE DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Past is present
Luke Donald may still be some way off the form of his 2011 pomp, when he was the leading player on both the European and the United States tours. His opening round did at least make the odd nod to the glory days, though. The former world No 1 birdied six of the first seven holes, before he ended on three-under par. And in another blast from the past, his brother Christian was even back carrying his bag. “It was nice to spend a week with my brother,” said Donald, who recently parted company with his regular caddie. “It felt like old times.”
READ MORE
MARTIN FRASER MINTS NEW MEMORIES AFTER OPENING ROUND
Make the most of it
Sergio Garcia’s decision to skip this week might have deprived the Dubai galleries the chance to see one of the Tour’s most recognisable players, but it has worked in favour of one of his Spanish compatriots. The top-60 players on the money-list qualify to play in this tournament, but the absence of Garcia through choice and George Coetzee through injury left room for 61-ranked Stephen Gallacher and 62-ranked Alejandro Canizares. Canizares made the most of his chance with a four-under-par 68.
Man at work
Henrik Stenson has left himself some work to do if he is to complete a hat-trick of titles in this competition.
The former resident of The Meadows in Dubai had flown in all his family this week, including his parents, who became lucky charms when he won this tournament for the past two years. They might have been alarmed by what they witness in Round 1, however. The Swede played the final four holes in five-over to card an opening 77, leaving him tied-last in the 60-man field with Tommy Fleetwood and Scott Hend.
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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.
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'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
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SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Benevento (Kick-off 11.45pm)
Saturday Crotone v Spezia (6pm), Torino v Udinese (9pm), Lazio v Verona (11.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Atalanta v Fiorentina (6pm), Napoli v Sampdoria (6pm), Bologna v Roma (6pm), Genoa v Juventus (9pm), AC Milan v Parma (11.45pm)
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Super heroes
Iron Man
Reduced risk of dementia
Alcohol consumption could be an issue
Hulk
Cardiac disease, stroke and dementia from high heart rate
Spider-Man
Agility reduces risk of falls
Increased risk of obesity and mental health issues
Black Panther
Vegetarian diet reduces obesity
Unknown risks of potion drinking
Black Widow
Childhood traumas increase risk of mental illnesses
Thor
He's a god
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Company name: Farmin
Date started: March 2019
Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: AgriTech
Initial investment: None to date
Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
