Despite rumors the pair had split, two-time major winner Rory McIlroy and former tennis World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki were pictured together at the Dubai World Tour Championship. "It was nice," McIlroy was quoted as saying by The Guardian newspaper of Wozniacki's arrival. "She started her preseason a couple of days ago and was on court this morning at seven o'clock. It's good to have her here."
Wozilroy rekindled? —
Despite rumors the pair had split, two-time major winner Rory McIlroy and former tennis World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki were pictured together at the Dubai World Tour Championship. "It was nice," McIlroy was quoted as saying by The Guardian newspaper of Wozniacki's arrival. "She started her preseason a couple of days ago and was on court this morning at seven o'clock. It's good to have her here."
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Despite Wozniacki's support, McIlroy had a frustrating day on the course, finishing on one-under-par and showing his disgust at some of his shots. Still after his round he said: "It's good that the game is back on track."
A different Rory? —
Despite Wozniacki's support, McIlroy had a frustrating day on the course, finishing on one-under-par and showing his disgust at some of his shots. Still after his round he said: "It's good that the game is back on track."
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Wozniacki was all smiles as she followed McIlroy round the course. She is in Dubai beginning her preparations for the new tennis season. Her appearance confounded stories that the pair were no longer an item.
Woz the story —
Wozniacki was all smiles as she followed McIlroy round the course. She is in Dubai beginning her preparations for the new tennis season. Her appearance confounded stories that the pair were no longer an item.
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Dubai usually pulls out all the stops for the season-ending World Tour Championship and the Red Arrows staged a fly past before the action got underway at the Jumeirah course.
Air force —
Dubai usually pulls out all the stops for the season-ending World Tour Championship and the Red Arrows staged a fly past before the action got underway at the Jumeirah course.
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Henrik Stenson checks the wind during his opening round of four-under. He is the favorite to claim the Race to Dubai crown after a stellar season, which also saw him take the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup. If he were to win the European Tour's season finale he'd be the first golfer ever to do the double.
Swede success? —
Henrik Stenson checks the wind during his opening round of four-under. He is the favorite to claim the Race to Dubai crown after a stellar season, which also saw him take the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup. If he were to win the European Tour's season finale he'd be the first golfer ever to do the double.
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England's Ian Poulter is one player who could deny Stenson the title, and he is one shot behind the Swede after the opening day. If Poulter does win, Stenson will act as a drinks waiter on a night out for the pair thanks to a friendly bet they struck earlier in the year.
Poulter's pursuit —
England's Ian Poulter is one player who could deny Stenson the title, and he is one shot behind the Swede after the opening day. If Poulter does win, Stenson will act as a drinks waiter on a night out for the pair thanks to a friendly bet they struck earlier in the year.
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Another Englishman, Justin Rose, has an outside chance to topple Stenson but must finish fifth or higher to be in the running. Rose, the 2013 U.S. Open champion, finished day one in Dubai on two-under.
Rose to blossom? —
Another Englishman, Justin Rose, has an outside chance to topple Stenson but must finish fifth or higher to be in the running. Rose, the 2013 U.S. Open champion, finished day one in Dubai on two-under.
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As ever, Dubai has laid on a few extra incentives for the golfers, who can win a BMW should they card a hole-in-one on the par three 17th. Stenson (pictured here) didn't manage it Thursday but as the order of merit leader he does get to stay in the top floor suite of the Atlantis hotel for the week, which normally retails for $35,000 (￡22,000) per night.
Eyes on the prize —
As ever, Dubai has laid on a few extra incentives for the golfers, who can win a BMW should they card a hole-in-one on the par three 17th. Stenson (pictured here) didn't manage it Thursday but as the order of merit leader he does get to stay in the top floor suite of the Atlantis hotel for the week, which normally retails for $35,000 (￡22,000) per night.
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Prior to the tournament a clutch of the world's top players were offered the chance to play some crazy golf, competing to see who could land their ball closest to a floating target in the ocean off the 22nd floor of the Atlantis hotel.
Test drive —
Prior to the tournament a clutch of the world's top players were offered the chance to play some crazy golf, competing to see who could land their ball closest to a floating target in the ocean off the 22nd floor of the Atlantis hotel.
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England's Lee Westwood won the contest, sending a seven iron four feet from the target 235 yards away. His prize was a five night stay at one of the hotel's underwater suites, complete with his own aquarium full of 65,000 fishy inhabitants.
A plaice to call home —
England's Lee Westwood won the contest, sending a seven iron four feet from the target 235 yards away. His prize was a five night stay at one of the hotel's underwater suites, complete with his own aquarium full of 65,000 fishy inhabitants.
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