DUBAI // For a brief time on Thursday, those who had set their alarm clocks slightly earlier then usual were treated to some vintage Rory McIlroy.
Patently, at age 24, the canon marked “classic” does not stretch too far into the past, but cast the mind back merely 12 months, to the last time the Northern Irishman ploughed through the Earth Course, and you would have found familiar fare to what he served up here.
Having clinched last year’s DP World Tour Championship title with a five-hole birdie blitz, McIlroy picked up where he left off. He reeled off three birdies in his opening four holes – the fastest start of the tournament’s 56 players – and seemed set to sign off this season’s damp squib by partying like 2012.
Yet three-under after four holes soon became two-under after eight, before a run of nine pars concluded with a bogey on 18, to leave McIlroy, already, with some serious catching-up to do. Understandably, he was frustrated.
“Walking off the course with a score in the 60s would’ve felt much better, but walking off with a 71, I’m a little disappointed in that,” he said.
The stretch between 14 and 16 contributed significantly to his mood. Standing on all three greens, McIlroy would have envisioned moving to the next hole with another birdie in the bag, yet the putts did not drop.
It was little pay for some on-the-money ball-striking. Four birdies in a round – he converted a missed eagle opportunity on the par-5 seventh – particularly irks when you are flicking wedges at most flags.
“I feel like I have an advantage around here with my length,” he said. “So if I can take advantage of that, convert chances and just be a little more efficient in my scoring … I’m just not quite there yet.”
It has been a recognisable refrain through 2013. Signs of life have been evident this past month, though, and he will no doubt find a little more bounce in his step around Jumeirah Golf Estates with Caroline Wozniacki in tow.
There has been conjecture regarding whether McIlroy still had the arm of the world No 10 tennis player, but she is in Dubai this week.
“It’s nice,” McIlroy said. “She started pre-season a couple of days ago and was on the court practising at 7am this morning and then came to see me. Great to have her here.”
The couple even found time in the build-up to this event to enjoy a practice round together at the nearby Els Club. Wozniacki’s game, it appears, is in much the same state as her double-major-champion boyfriend.
“Let’s just say it’s a work in progress,” she said.
McIlroy will return Friday intent on recording some improvement. Chiefly, the putter needs to heat up.
“You can hit the ball as well as you want, but if it ends up a 71 it’s not so good,” he said. “I’ve just got to take more chances that I’m giving myself. I know there’s a low score out there.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
Forced%20Deportations
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Violence%20
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SHAITTAN
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FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
MATCH INFO
Schalke 0
Werder Bremen 1 (Bittencourt 32')
Man of the match Leonardo Bittencourt (Werder Bremen)
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan v Juventus
Saturday, 10.45pm (UAE)
Watch the match on BeIN Sports
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Company%20profile
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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
Specs%3A%202024%20McLaren%20Artura%20Spider
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Kamindu Mendis bio
Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis
Born: September 30, 1998
Age: 20 years and 26 days
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team
Batting style: Left-hander
Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)
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
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Company%20Profile
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder
The Little Things
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto
Four stars
UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
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