Rahm showcases ‘effortless’ form to lead LIV Golf UK at the JCB Golf & Country Club
Story by KT Golf

Jon Rahm said his bogey-free eight-under 63 felt ‘almost effortless’ after setting the pace in the $25 million 54-hole LIV Golf UK at JCB Golf and Country Club.

The Spaniard, still looking for his first individual title in LIV Golf, has a two-stroke lead over Mexico’s Abraham Ancer and American Andy Ogletree.

Rahm’s Legion XIII tops the team leaderboard by one stroke over Smash GC, HyFlyers GC and Fireballs GC. Friday’s round was the 29th that Rahm has completed in LIV Golf. He’s been inside the top five after 13 of those rounds, including a tie for the lead after the first round in Jeddah. Six other times, he’s been inside the top 10.

In each of his nine tournaments (he had to withdraw in Houston due to a foot infection) he has produced a top-10 result, and he’s currently second behind Torque GC Captain Joaquin Niemann in the season-long points individual standings.
“Nothing much to say obviously but good things,” said Rahm who entered the week off a tie for seventh at The Open Championship, his best major result of the year. “Played really good golf all day. With days like this, it almost feels effortless.”

Rahm played in the same group with his teammate and former Ryder Cup partner Tyrrell Hatton, along with another Legion XIII player, Caleb Surratt, as the LIV Golf captains were grouped with their top two teammates for the first round.

Not only did Rahm go low – the eight-under score matches his lowest LIV Golf round relative to par – but Hatton shot 66, bouncing back from an opening double bogey.

The duo fueled Legion XIII’s 12-under total which also included a counting score of 72 from Kieran Vincent. Legion XIII has won three team titles during its inaugural season and is second in the points team standings behind Crushers GC.

“It was the first time I played with any teammates in LIV Golf,” said Rahm, who had six birdies in his final nine holes to pull away from the pack.

“I wasn’t sure how that was going to go. I was a little curious.”

Ancer, the winner via a play-off earlier this year in Hong Kong, finished with a flourish. The Fireballs star birdied four of his last five holes during a brilliant putting round where he led the field.

Ogletree’s best finish during his first full LIV Golf season is a tie for third in Adelaide. He’s battled a wrist injury that may require offseason surgery and forced him to make some swing adjustments to alleviate the pain.

On a course that was unfamiliar to most players and expected to give up low scores grudgingly, 35 of the 54 players in the field broke par, with a stroke average of more than one shot under par.

Dubai-based players Adrian Meronk (Cleeks GC) and Anirban Lahiri (Crushers GC) shot rounds of 68 and 69 respectively.

The Cleeks GC and Crushers GC are both tied ninth on five under par.

The Team Event sees the best three scores counting in the first two rounds with all four scores counting in the final round on Sunday.

For further information Visit: www.LIVGolf.com

(7,243 yards, Par 71)

LEGION XIII -12 (Rahm 63, Hatton 66, Vincent 72)

FIREBALLS GC -11 (Ancer 65, Garcia 68, Puig 69)

SMASH GC -11 (Koepka 67, McDowell 67, Gooch 68)

HYFLYERS GC -11 (Ogletree 65, Tringale 67, Mickelson 70)

Jon Rahm, first round leader at LIV Golf UK at JCB Golf & Country Club in action in front of a sell-out crowd. – Supplied photo
Jon Rahm, first round leader at LIV Golf UK at JCB Golf & Country Club in action in front of a sell-out crowd. – Supplied photo © Provided by Khaleej Times
Related video: Rahm claims first LIV Golf win in United Kingdom (Reuters)

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Where to watch Paris 2024 Olympics in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Story by Evelyn Lau
• 3d • 3 min read

Follow the latest news on the 2024 Paris Olympics

The Paris Olympics are almost here. Some sports are already underway, but the Games will officially begin following Friday’s opening ceremony. It will be the first to be held outside of a stadium. Instead of marching in, the 10,500 athletes expected to attend will be paraded in boats down the Seine River.

This year’s Games will also include the debut of breaking (also known as breakdancing), while surfing, skateboarding, 3×3 basketball and sport climbing return after making their debuts at Tokyo 2020.

So, whether it’s watching Team USA attempt their fifth consecutive team gold medal in men’s basketball or seeing if the Moroccan football team can continue their run after defeating Argentina in their opener, there are plenty of storylines to follow.
Here’s where to go to watch the Olympics in the UAE.

Where to watch the Olympics in Abu Dhabi
McCafferty’s

The Irish pub has several televisions dotted throughout, making it a good place to grab a bite and to watch some of the Olympics action. The menu serves typical bar food such as burgers, pizza, fish and chips.

9am to 2am; Hilton Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; 058 598 3623

The Sportsman’s Arms

This American-Irish pub has large TVs lined in the middle over its tall bar-style tables. There are also sofa benches and regular-height pub tables and chairs, ensuring guests can watch the Olympic action from any seat.

Sunday to Thursday, 8am-midnight; Friday and Saturday, 8am-1am; Zayed Sports City; 02 447 1066

Cooper’s Bar & Restaurant

Cooper’s at the Park Rotana will be showing the Olympics on four big screens, as well as smaller TVs dotted around. A sharing platter of mixed bar bites is Dh150 and happy hour is from noon to 8pm.

Sunday to Thursday, noon-2am; Friday and Saturday, noon-3am; Park Rotana, Khalifa Park; 02 657 3325

Stars N Bars

The American-themed sports bar in Yas Marina will stream the games on its impressive 76 HDTVs located throughout the venue. Additionally, there are arcade games, pinball machines and foosball tables available.

Sunday to Thursday, noon-2am; Friday and Saturday, noon-3am; Yas Marina; 02 565 0101

Where to watch the Olympics in Dubai
Bedrock

The urban golf and darts bar will be showing the Olympics on its 20 plus sports screens. In addition, there are also high-tech indoor golf and interactive dart boards. There’s a daily happy hour from noon to 7pm on weekdays and noon to 4pm on weekends.

Noon to 2am; Pier 7, Dubai Marina; 04 578 1668

Zabeel Social

Located in Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, the restaurant features a fan zone tent with large LED screens and air conditioning for screening the Olympics. Additionally, there will be Olympic-themed quiz contests and happy hour runs from 5pm to 7pm every day.

Sunday to Thursday, 4pm-2am; Friday and Saturday, noon-2pm and 4pm-2am; Jumeirah Zabeel Saray; 04 453 0444

The Underground Pub

The sports pub has a London Underground theme and will be streaming the Olympics. In addition to watching the Games on the many TVs, there is also a daily happy hour from 4pm to 8pm.

Daily, noon-3am; Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Jumeirah Beach; 04 408 4257

Mr Toad’s

Mr Toad’s will screen the Games and is serving a special summer menu for the event alongside other special promotions. The Summer Championship Menu has drinks starting at Dh23 and food at Dh30. It includes dishes such as aglio e olio-style prawns and beef chorizo, chilli chicken and hot dog with German potato salad. Also, those ordering a Kick-Off Burger or Extra Time Burger will get a free drink.

Daily, noon-1am; various Premier Inn Hotels around Dubai; 050 143 8751 (Barsha Heights) or 04 885 1899 (DIP)

Barasti Beach Bar

Barasti in Dubai Marina offers multiple options for watching the Games: either in a giant air-conditioned tent or on a six square metre poolside screen. Expect live bands and DJ sets to keep the energy going. Tables and seating are on a first-come, first-served basis and VIP tables are available with prior booking.

Daily, 9am-3am; Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach, Dubai Marina; 04 511 7373

Reform Social & Grill

The restaurant will be screening the Games and also has a special Olympics-themed menu that features “mega-sized dishes designed to fuel champions”. This includes the Olympic Champion Breakfast (Dh150), Olympic Black Angus Burger (Dh99) and Olympic Mega Roast (Dh190). The menu will only be available until the Games finishes.

Daily, 8am-midnight; The Lakes, Emirates Hill; 04 454 2638

Dhow & Anchor

The gastropub offers a vibrant and laid-back atmosphere and will screen the Olympics. Expect strategically placed flat-screen TVs surrounded by epic views of Burj Al Arab. The menu offers traditional British cuisine.

Daily, noon-midnight; Jumeirah Beach Hotel; 800 323 232

Germany’s Svenja Mueller warms up before a beach volleyball practice in Eiffel Tower Stadium at the 2024 Summer Olympics. AP
Germany’s Svenja Mueller warms up before a beach volleyball practice in Eiffel Tower Stadium at the 2024 Summer Olympics. AP © Robert F. Bukaty
As well as watching the Olympics, visitors at Stars N Bars, Yas Marina, can also play video games, pinball and foosball. Photo: Stars N Bars
As well as watching the Olympics, visitors at Stars N Bars, Yas Marina, can also play video games, pinball and foosball. Photo: Stars N Bars © Provided by The National
The Underground Pub has a cosy outside space with screens, as well as plenty of tables and TVs inside. Photo: The Underground Pub
The Underground Pub has a cosy outside space with screens, as well as plenty of tables and TVs inside. Photo: The Underground Pub © The Underground Pub
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