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5 things to watch at DP World Tour Championship in Dubai

Rory McIlroy in action on the 18th hole during the 2022 DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. (Getty Images)
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Updated 15 November 2023
Joy Chakravarty
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5 things to watch at DP World Tour Championship in Dubai

  • Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland will all be at the Earth Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates from Nov. 16-19
  • Top 10 non-exempt players from the Race to Dubai will earn membership of the PGA Tour
Updated 15 November 2023
Joy Chakravarty

DUBAI: What’s happening this week at the DP World Tour’s season-ending championship is unprecedented. The $10.5 million DP World Tour Championship is a limited-field event, with only those in the top 50 of the Race to Dubai (season-long Order of Merit) qualifying for it.

It’s a tournament every player hopes to be a part of. It is the best proof that they have had a decent season. However, some players (mostly those who ply their trade primarily in America) do tend to skip the tournament, which has been held at the Earth Course of Jumeirah Golf Estates every year since its inception in 2009.  

For the first time in 15 years, each player in the top 50 has entered this week’s event — an unequivocal testament to its stature. That includes Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland, World No. 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

The battlefield is set, and so are the stars. Here are five talking points ahead of the championship.

McIlroy gets the crown even without hitting a ball

McIlroy has taken an unsurmountable lead in the Race to Dubai, making him the first player ever to win the year-long crown even before the season-ending championship has been played.

McIlroy has two big wins this season in the DP World Tour in two Rolex Series events — Hero Dubai Desert Classic and the Genesis Scottish Open. That, along with his performances in the majors (three top 10s), was enough to get him to 5,166.47 points. That leaves second-placed Rahm at 3,081.94 points, which means even if he wins this week (2,000 points), he won’t be able to catch McIlroy.

The Northern Irishman has a phenomenal record in the tournament and will surely be a leading contender come Sunday. In 12 appearances, McIlroy has finished outside the top 10 only twice and has only five over-par rounds in 48 outings. He won the championship in 2012 and 2015 and would love to add a third title to his glowing CV.

Another title for Rahm on Earth?

The defending champion, when asked about his love for the Earth Course of Jumeirah Golf Estates, wasn’t exactly able to put a finger on one reason. Rahm’s record is astonishing — three wins in four starts (2017, 2019, 2022), and when he did not win the title in 2018, he was tied fourth. His worst score over the 16 rounds is a pair of two-under 70s.

The Spaniard’s powerful driving is a key factor, but he is equally solid on and around the greens.

Rahm did not have any qualms about losing the chance to add to his one DP World Tour Race to Dubai title (2019), blaming himself for not having a schedule that gave him a chance to contend for the Order of Merit crown. But the World No. 3 is motivated to win a fourth DP World Tour Championship and finish the season on a high.

Hovland’s sensational year

Unlike Henrik Stenson in 2013 and McIlroy in 2022, Hovland will not be able to win the Order of Merit on both sides of the Atlantic. But the FedEx Cup champion on the PGA Tour can add another feather to his cap this season with a first win in the DP World Tour Championship.

The man from Norway bagged a check of $18 million for his exploits in America (three wins, including the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup), and then played a pivotal role with 3.5 points in Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph. He has the game to stop the DP World Tour Championship from becoming a two-horse race between McIlroy and Rahm but is too far behind to challenge McIlroy’s supremacy in the Order of Merit. 

10 players for the PGA Tour

As part of the strategic alliance between the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour, the top 10 non-exempt players from the Race to Dubai will earn their membership in America, and those will be determined on Sunday after the DP World Tour Championship.

The players who have a chance, as of now, are Adrian Meronk, Ryan Fox, Victor Perez, Thorbjorn Olesen, Alexander Bjork, Sami Valimaki, Robert MacIntyre, Jorge Campillo, Ryo Hisatsune and Rasmus Hojgaard. But all that can change. Even the 50th-ranked player in the field, England’s Daniel Brown, can secure his card with a win this week.

8 players for the Bonus Pool

The top eight players at the end of the tournament are eligible for the Race to Dubai Bonus Pool of $6 million. McIlroy has already secured the top prize of $2 million, but there could be a lot of jostling for the next seven places, and each of the 49 remaining players in the field can get inside the bonus position. The bonus check for finishing eighth is $300,000.

Topics: DP World Tour Championship Jumeirah Golf Estates Dubai

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De Bruyne ‘surprised’ over Man City exit

Updated 12 min 41 sec ago
AFP
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De Bruyne ‘surprised’ over Man City exit

  • Kevin De Bruyne has revealed he was “a bit surprised” to be told his glittering Manchester City career will finish at the end of this season
Updated 12 min 41 sec ago
AFP

LONDON: Kevin De Bruyne has revealed he was “a bit surprised” to be told his glittering Manchester City career will finish at the end of this season.
De Bruyne recently announced he will leave the Etihad Stadium once the current campaign is over, bringing the curtain down on a memorable era in Manchester for the Belgian midfielder.
The 33-year-old arrived from German club Wolfsburg in 2015 and has been instrumental in City’s incredible success during boss Pep Guardiola’s reign.
De Bruyne has won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and the 2023 Champions League — which capped an incredible treble-winning season.
Guardiola hinted it was his decision to end De Bruyne’s stay after the playmaker’s struggles with injuries and inconsistent form over the last two seasons.
City have dipped dramatically this term, surrendering their four-year spell as champions and were reduced to focussing on the battle to qualify for the Champions League.
But De Bruyne admitted he was shocked not to receive a new contract offer because he believes he can still shine at the highest level.
“I have not had any offer the whole year, they just took a decision,” he said after City’s 2-0 win at Everton on Saturday.
“Obviously, I was a bit surprised but I just have to accept it. Honestly I still think I can perform at this level like I’m showing but I understand clubs have to make decisions.
“Maybe if the team didn’t struggle and I came back like I did this year and bedded in like normal then maybe they take another decision.”
De Bruyne said he has not made any decisions about his future as he is concentrating on the race to secure a top-five spot to extend City’s run in the Champions League into a 15th successive season.
He has already been linked with moves to Major League Soccer in the United States but he hasn’t ruled out staying in the Premier League or joining a major European club.
“I feel like I still have a lot to give. Obviously I know I’m not 25 any more but I still feel like I can do my job,” he said.
“I’m open for anything. I have to look at the whole picture. I’m looking at sporting, family, everything together, what makes the most sense for me and my family.
“I like to compete. That’s what I feel so I can’t say that I want to quit because I still feel that whenever I’m in training I want to beat the guys.
“I feel like I’m doing really well and that’s why I’ve also played a lot lately.”
De Bruyne applauded off at Goodison Park after Saturday’s win, with his performance a bright spot in another spluttering City display.
“It’s something really rare to come out and get an applause from another team so I just want to say thank you to them. I think they appreciate the way that I play,” he said.

Topics: Kevin De Bruyne Man City

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Saudi footballers face Uzbekistan in AFC U17 Asian Cup final

Saudi Arabia finished second in Group A with six points from three matches (via@SaudiArabianFootballFederation)
Updated 6 sec ago
Khaled Alarafah
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Saudi footballers face Uzbekistan in AFC U17 Asian Cup final

  • Saudi Arabia began the tournament with a 2-0 win over China in the first round
Updated 6 sec ago
Khaled Alarafah

TAIF: The Saudi Arabia U-17 national team will look to end a 37-year wait for continental glory when they face Uzbekistan in the final of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup on Sunday.

Kick-off at King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Taif is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. local time.

The Green Falcons are aiming to capture their third title, having previously lifted the trophy in 1985 and 1988. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan are seeking a second championship after first winning the tournament in 2012.

Saudi Arabia finished second in Group A during the tournament’s opening phase, collecting six points from three matches — three points behind group winners Uzbekistan. China placed third with three points, while Thailand finished bottom without a point.

The Saudis began their campaign with a 2-0 victory over China and a 3-1 win against Thailand, before falling 3-0 to Uzbekistan in the final group match. In the knockout stages, Saudi Arabia edged Japan 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the quarterfinals, and again triumphed on penalties against South Korea in the semifinals, winning 3-1 following a 1-1 stalemate.

Uzbekistan dominated the group stage, recording three consecutive victories: 4-1 against Thailand, 2-1 over China, and 3-0 against Saudi Arabia.

They carried their strong form into the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win over the UAE and secured a place in the final after a convincing 3-0 semifinal victory against North Korea.

Both Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan have already secured qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar later this year. They will be joined by fellow Asian qualifiers Japan, the UAE, Indonesia, South Korea, North Korea, and Tajikistan.

Topics: football soccer Saudi Arabia U17 Asian Cup

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Top F1 qualifiers face intense competition in Jeddah

Updated 41 min 47 sec ago
SALEH FAREED
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Top F1 qualifiers face intense competition in Jeddah

Updated 41 min 47 sec ago
SALEH FAREED

Jeddah: After Max Verstappen secured pole position in the top qualifiers for the F1 Saudi Arabian GP on Saturday night, the leading three drivers said that the competition was very intense for Sunday’s race.

Speaking to the media during the post-qualifying conference, Verstappen (Red Bull Racing), Oscar Piastri (McLaren), and George Russell (Mercedes) discussed how optimistic they were for Sunday’s race and other challenges.

“I am very happy,” Verstappen said. “I definitely didn’t expect to be on pole here after FP3 as well and looking at how the whole weekend was. We made some final changes, and it was a lot more enjoyable to drive.”

Speaking about Sunday’s race, Verstappen said: “I think in the race it will be tough to keep them behind, but we’re going to give it a good go.”

“It is much better than what we had in Bahrain, of course. And, yeah, let’s see what we can do tomorrow in the race,” he added.

Russell said: “If Oscar gets into the lead, you’ll probably see a repeat of Bahrain. If we stay in the order we qualified, I think it could be a tight race until the pit stops.”

Meanwhile, Piastri said that it would be a long and tough race. “I’m happy with the job I did,” he said. “I think it was playing catch-up a little bit through the first part of qualifying and then, yeah, that last lap felt more or less like the best I could have done. So, you know, I think Max has done a good job.”

He added: “Yes, we will fight hard for the final. I think our pace is good. It’s going to be a tough race and the tires are a bit softer than last year, so we’ll see if that plays to our advantage.”

The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is known for its high-speed turns, creating challenges for drivers. All three top qualifiers emphasized the need for rhythm and precision on the track.

Topics: F1 Jeddah Saudi Grand Prix

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Lewandowski injury confirmed in blow to Barca quadruple bid

Updated 59 min 47 sec ago
AFP
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Lewandowski injury confirmed in blow to Barca quadruple bid

  • Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski was diagnosed with a hamstring injury on Sunday and is set to miss the Copa del Rey final and Champions League semifinal according to Spanish media reports
Updated 59 min 47 sec ago
AFP

BARCELONA: Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski was diagnosed with a hamstring injury on Sunday and is set to miss the Copa del Rey final and Champions League semifinal according to Spanish media reports.
The 36-year-old Polish forward, Barcelona’s top goalscorer with 40 goals across all competitions, came off during his team’s 4-3 La Liga win over Celta Vigo on Saturday.
“Tests carried out on Sunday have confirmed that first-team player Robert Lewandowski has a semitendinosus injury in his left thigh,” said Barcelona in a statement, without specifying how long he would be sidelined for.
Spanish media reported Lewandowski could be out for three weeks, meaning he would not be available next Saturday as Barcelona face Real Madrid in the Copa final in Seville.
The La Liga leaders also host Inter Milan on April 30 in the Champions League semifinal first leg, and visit the Italians on May 6.
Lewandowski is set to miss league games against Mallorca on Tuesday and Valladolid on May 3, with a potential return against Real Madrid on May 11, a match which could decide the title race.
Barcelona, who won the Spanish Super Cup in January, are chasing a potential quadruple and are in the Champions League semifinals for the first time since 2019.
Coach Hansi Flick has used Ferran Torres through the middle as a replacement for Lewandowski before, and has also experimented with Dani Olmo operating as a false nine.

Topics: Lewandowski Barcelona football La Liga

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Saudi Arabia open to 64-team World Cup in 2034

Updated 20 April 2025
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Saudi Arabia open to 64-team World Cup in 2034

  • Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal told a select group of reporters at the Saudi Arabian Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah that his country would have no objection to do so
Updated 20 April 2025
Reuters

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia would be ready and willing to host a 64-team World Cup in 2034 if FIFA accepts a controversial proposal to expand the tournament from 48, according to the kingdom’s sports minister.
South America’s CONMEBOL has officially suggested staging the centenary 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco with 64 teams but the idea has been opposed by some other continental confederations.
Next year’s tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico will have 48 countries participating, up from 32 in 2022.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal told a select group of reporters at the Saudi Arabian Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah that his country would have no objection to an increase in the numbers for 2034.
“We’re ready, or we will be ready, inshallah (God willing). If that’s a decision that FIFA takes and thinks that that’s a good decision for everyone, then we’re more than happy to deliver on it,” he said.
He pointed to the infrastructure already in place for Islamic pilgrims, with four million people attending Makkah for Umrah during Ramadan this year and five million expected for the Hajj.
The global football governing body officially announced Saudi Arabia as hosts of the 2034 men’s World Cup in December.
The bid book pledged 15 stadiums, new or refurbished, by 2032 and which are expected to be completed with help of migrant labor.
Al-Faisal said worker safety was of the highest priority and Saudi organizers were talking regularly with FIFA and 2022 hosts and neighbors Qatar, the first World Cup in the region, to learn from their experience.
“We’ve had more than 100 international events so far. We’ve had people come from all over the world to attend these sporting events. And everyone’s happy with the hospitality, the setup, the experience that they get,” he added.

Topics: FIFA Saudi Arabia

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