Who has a chance of winning the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai?

Lee Westwood is on form after an emotional victory at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa. (AFP)
Updated 16 November 2018
Follow

Who has a chance of winning the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai?

The European Tour’s season-ending DP World Championship gets underway in Dubai today, with all eyes on Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood. But, while the Race to Dubai might be between those two, Arab News looks at those who might spoil the party for the Italian and Englishman and win this weekend’s tournament.

Sentimental choice — Sergio Garcia
A surprise pick considering he had a shocker in Augusta trying to defend his Masters title — and missed the cut in New York and Carnoustie — but his Ryder Cup performance showed just how talented Garcia is on the biggest stages. An outsider, true, but definitely one to keep an eye on.

Dark Horse choice — Thorbjørn Olesen
The Dane has had a remarkable 2018. Supremely talented, but seemingly lacking confidence in his short game, Olesen’s rise and rise this season was topped by winning the Italian Open in June. He is in the world’s top 50 players right now. If he wins in Dubai, expect him to have a storming 2019.

Obvious choice — Rory McIlroy
He is everyone’s favorite to win this weekend, but then again, he’s the favorite to win most weekends. He certainly has the pedigree on the Earth Course in Dubai, having won in 2012 and 2015. But despite what the pundits say, it would still be a shock if the Northern Irishman did take the crown.

Form choice — Lee Westwood
The Englishman is on form after an emotional victory at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa. Also, Westwood will be playing a course he knows well following his victory on the Earth Course in 2009. He would be a crowd favorite too, given his previous successes in the UAE.


Norway’s Carlsen wins first FIDE Freestyle World Chess Championship

Updated 16 February 2026
Follow

Norway’s Carlsen wins first FIDE Freestyle World Chess Championship

Norway’s Magnus Carlsen added ‌another crown to his collection on Sunday by becoming the first official FIDE Freestyle Chess world champion after ​a comeback win over Fabiano Caruana in Germany.
The chess master secured the title with a cautious draw in the fourth and final game, clinching a 2.5–1.5 match victory against his 33-year-old American opponent in Weissenhaus.
Sunday’s turning point came in the thrilling third game, in ‌which Carlsen, ‌35, pulled off a stunning ​win ‌from ⁠a ​seemingly lost ⁠position, swinging the entire contest in his favor.
The world number one only needed a draw in the decisive fourth game, and that’s exactly what he got in an equal endgame, with Caruana missing late opportunities to mount a ⁠comeback.
Carlsen has now won 21 world ‌titles in various formats.

 

The ‌World Championship marked a breakthrough ​collaboration between FIDE and ‌private organizer Freestyle Chess, staging the first ‌officially recognized title in this format.
Carlsen had previously failed to capture the FIDE Fischer Random World Championship, making this victory particularly sweet for the chess great.
In ‌the bronze medal match, Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov beat Germany’s Vincent Keymer, securing ⁠his spot ⁠by drawing from a winning position in the final game.
Both finalists and Abdusattorov have qualified for next year’s championship.
The tournament’s lower placings saw Hans Niemann of the United States take fifth with a 2-0 victory over India’s Arjun Erigaisi, while Armenia’s Levon Aronian won his Armageddon game against Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov for seventh place.
In the women’s exhibition match, Kazakhstan’s ​Bibisara Assaubayeva prevailed over ​Switzerland’s Alexandra Kosteniuk after their final encounter ended in a draw.