World No 5 Bryson DeChambeau confirmed for 2019 Omega Dubai Desert Classic

World No 5 Bryson DeChambeau has confirmed his participation in the 2019 Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club from January 24-27.

The news follows hot on the heels of Tuesday's announcement that European Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood and Sergio Garcia have also confirmed their place at next month's tournament.

The 25-year-old American DeChambeau has just embarked on his third full season on the PGA Tour, collecting five wins in the past 18 months, including the Memorial Tournament and back-to-back titles in the 2018 FedEx Cup playoffs, a first in the 12 years of the lucrative tour finale.

He was one of the four wildcard picks chosen by Jim Furyk, making him the youngest member of the 2018 USA Ryder Cup team that loss to Europe in France in September.

David Spencer, tournament director of the Desert Classic, said: “Bryson is one of the most exciting young stars of global golf. He visited Dubai as an amateur and was a class act. We’re delighted that he will join us again in 2019 as a pro for our 30th anniversary.”

Defending champion Haotong Li will return to the Majlis Course in attempt to repeat his impressive victory from January. The 23-year-old Chinese held off four-time major champion Rory McIlroy on Sunday to secure a one-shot victory.

A host of Europe's winning Ryder Cup team, including captain Thomas Bjorn, Henrik Stenson, Ian Poulter, Tyrrell Hatton and Thorbjorn Olesen will also take part.

For tournament information, tickets and hospitality packages, please visit www.omegadubaidesertclassic.com.

______________

Danny Willett interview: From a 'very dark place' to DP World Tour Championship winner

Francesco Molinari: Highlights of the Race to Dubai champion's historic season

Watch this space

Has a colleague of Stephen Hawking's just found evidence of a universe before this one?

'Crazy' billionaire speaks for the first time of his plans for an artistic mission to the Moon

Winners

Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)

Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)

Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)

Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)

Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)

Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)

Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)

Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)

VERSTAPPEN'S FIRSTS

Youngest F1 driver (17 years 3 days Japan 2014)
Youngest driver to start an F1 race (17 years 166 days – Australia 2015)
Youngest F1 driver to score points (17 years 180 days - Malaysia 2015)
Youngest driver to lead an F1 race (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest driver to set an F1 fastest lap (19 years 44 days – Brazil 2016)
Youngest on F1 podium finish (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest F1 winner (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest multiple F1 race winner (Mexico 2017/18)
Youngest F1 driver to win the same race (Mexico 2017/18)

Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics

Why Myanmar couldn't rise to meet the world's expectations

Suu Kyi's unholy alliance with Orban is a new despicable low

The halo that once crowned Suu Kyi has been replaced

BABYLON

%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Damien%20Chazelle%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Brad%20Pitt%2C%20Margot%20Robbie%2C%20Jean%20Smart%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Two-step truce

The UN-brokered ceasefire deal for Hodeidah will be implemented in two stages, with the first to be completed before the New Year begins, according to the Arab Coalition supporting the Yemeni government.

By midnight on December 31, the Houthi rebels will have to withdraw from the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa and Al Saqef, coalition officials told The National.

The second stage will be the complete withdrawal of all pro-government forces and rebels from Hodeidah city, to be completed by midnight on January 7.

The process is to be overseen by a Redeployment Co-ordination Committee (RCC) comprising UN monitors and representatives of the government and the rebels.

The agreement also calls the deployment of UN-supervised neutral forces in the city and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to ensure distribution of aid across the country.