Dubai

DP World Tour Championship second-round leaderboard

-5 T Hatton (Eng), R McIlroy (NI); -4 K Reitan (Nor), J Luiten (Ned); -3 M Lindberg (Swe), F Schott (Ger), V Perez (Fra); -2 J Schaper (SA), J Rahm (Spa), D Puig (Spa)

Selected others: -1 E Chacarra (Spa); E A Scott (Aus), C Hill (Sco); +3 T Fleetwood (Eng); +6 A Rai (Eng); +8 P Reed (US)

Full leaderboard

Rory McIlroy is tied for the lead at the halfway mark of the season-ending DP World Tour Championship as he chases a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title.

The six-time major winner followed a three-under opening 69 with an up-and-down 70 to join England’s Tyrrell Hatton at the top at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.

Hatton mixed five birdies and two bogeys to shoot 69, while overnight leader Joost Luiten carded a 73 to lie one shot back alongside Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan.

McIlroy, who is guaranteed to equal Colin Montgomerie’s record haul of eight season-long crowns with victory this week, sits four shots ahead of Race to Dubai leader Eugenio Chacarra.

The Spaniard, who won three times earlier this season to lead the standings entering this week, birdied his final two holes to finish one under.

“I think it’s been a bit eye-opening to see the scoring the first two days,” said world number two McIlroy.

“I don’t think the wind is supposed to be as up over the weekend, so the scoring might be a little bit better.

“As I said, the scoring this week, because of this course set-up, just isn’t as good as in previous years. I’ve been coming back to the golf course for 15 plus years, and you just associate this course with pretty low scoring.

“And then when it’s not, you just have to reframe what is a good score. Anything in the 60s, it seems, this week is a good score.”

FROM East European luxury to affordable Spanish aparthotels – the following resorts have all received masses of rave reviews from British customers.

Loveholidays has collated the top hotels most loved by Brits from thousands of customer reviews over the past year – these are the ones that really have the stamp of approval.

Solymar Gran Hotel The One, Spain

This pretty four-star hotel sits on the sandy shores of Arenal Beach in Calpe with incredible beach views and received incredibly high scores from its customers.

Its two freshwater outdoor swimming pools are available year-round and there are plenty of sun loungers too.

The on-site spa has a sauna, steam bath and hot tub.

A seven-night holiday with breakfast and flights from London Stansted on March 1 starts from £639pp.

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Ikos Olivia, Greece

Luxurious five-star Ikos Olivia is an all-inclusive resort set on a the beach in Gerakini, Northern Greece – and it’s another top scorer.

It has three outdoor pools, a spa, six restaurants and lots of activities from watersports to ball games like tennis, beach volleyball and table tennis.

The rooms vary from twin and double with balconies to bungalow suites with a private garden.

A seven-night, all-inclusive holiday with flights from London Gatwick departing on April 12 starts from £2,219pp.

Hotel Wawel Queen, Poland

Visitors love the four-star Hotel Wawel Queen which sits in the heart of Kraków – its location means it is easy to explore Wawel Castle and the Main Market Square.

After a day of exploration, guests can put their feet up in one of the 49 rooms which have heated floors and flatscreen TVs.

There’s one restaurant on-site too which serves buffet-style breakfasts and it offers service during certain hours.

A seven-night break with breakfast including flights from London Stansted on January 16 starts from £599pp.

Club Tuana Fethiye, Turkey

This resort sits on the coastline of Fethiye in Turkey with beautiful views across the bay.

The hotel’s swimming pools are huge and also form part of the waterpark and water slides.

It has a Kids’ Club divided into Mini for ages 4 to 7 and Maxi for ages 8 to 14 – there’s a playground, slide, playhouse and mini-disco too.

A seven-night all-inclusive holiday including flights from London Gatwick on April 22 starts from £649pp.

Hotel Sumratin, Croatia

The luxurious five-star Hotel Sumratin is highlighted as a great choice for couples looking for a holiday in Dubrovnik.

During the summer season, the outdoor swimming pool opens and there are sun loungers and parasols on the sun terrace too.

One visitor wrote in their review “Beautiful! Polite and attentive staff. Gorgeous food. The rooftop bar, our favourite place to unwind in the evening.”

A seven-night holiday including breakfast and flights from London Stansted on March 7 starts from £809pp.

La Pergola Aparthotel, Majorca

The comfortable four-star La Pergola Aparthotel is described as a ‘superb choice for families’.

The accommodation, which for cleanliness is rated 4.9/5, ranges from cosy studios, one and two-bedroom apartments, bungalows and villas.

Children can splash about in the pool or check out the activities at the kids’ club and playground.

A seven-night self-catering holiday with flights from London Stansted on March 9 starts from £469pp.

Sergiani Garden, Greek Islands

This two-star hotel on the island of Crete has been described as ‘first class’, ‘amazing’ and ‘one of the best restaurants in Stalis’.

It’s set in a peaceful location with easy access to the sandy beach; it also has a children’s pool and playground.

It’s near to the popular coastal resort village of Stalis and is within walking distance to the town and beaches.

A seven-night holiday (room only) with flights from London Luton on May 3 starts from £419pp.

Iberostar Selection Anthelia, Tenerife

The luxurious five-star Iberostar Selection Anthelia is an adult-only resort in Costa Adeje.

Everything you need for a holiday is at your fingertips, the resort has four restaurants, five bars, three outdoor swimming pools and a spa.

Guests in their review say the hotel is spacious – and that it still didn’t feel busy even during peak summer holiday season.

A seven-night holiday including breakfast with flights from London Stansted on May 2 starts from £1,069pp.

Mercure Krakow Stare Miasto (Old Town), Poland

Another popular hotel in Poland that makes it onto the list is the 4-star Mercure Krakow Stare Miasto.

It’s in a great spot for exploring Poland’s cultural capital with modern rooms and all the essentials.

It’s on-site Winestone Restaurant provides dinner, drinks at the bar and breakfast.

A seven-night holiday (room only) with flights from London Stansted on January 8 starts from £539pp.

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, Dubai

This glam hotel in Dubai is the highest five-star hotel in the world and there’s so much there that guests say there’s actually no need to leave the hotel.

It has multiple restaurants and two heated outdoor swimming pools; to enjoy the sunshine, step onto the sun terrace and take a seat on the loungers.

Its rooms are impressive too – these have panoramic views across the city thanks to their floor to ceiling windows.

A seven-night holiday (room only) with flights from London Gatwick on February 8 starts from £1,649pp.

FORMER Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote looked stunning as she playfully posed in a green bikini.

The star has been enjoying a getaway in Dubai and wowed her followers by opting for the colourful two-piece.

Georgia, 35, showed off her killer curves and had a white sarong to cover up whilst taking a stroll on her holiday.

She added to her post: “Swipe for a happy happy girl.”

Her brunette locks fell in front of her face as she left her followers wowing with the jaw-dropping snaps.

Georgia’s trip away comes just weeks after she went public with her new boyfriend following her sudden marriage split last year.

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The star split from her husband Kris Evans last year but she has now moved on for good.

Georgia has been romancing a top record producer who has worked with the likes of Aitch and Central Cee.

Taras Slusarenko, who goes by LiTek online, was unveiled by The Sun after he swept Georgia off her feet.

Taras, who is originally from Russia, lives just outside of Manchester and around 30 minutes from where Georgia resides.

Talking of the new romance, a source revealed to The Sun: “Georgia met Taras earlier this year at a running club and they’ve been smitten ever since.

“He has brought the smile back on her face and they’re in a bubble together.”

American Jake Paul to headline Christmas Eve boxing event in Dubai, with his opponent yet to be announced.

YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul will return to the ring on December 24 in Dubai just over a year after suffering a broken jaw in his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua, he said.

American Paul, 29, will headline the Christmas Eve card, with his opponent yet to be announced.

The bout will be Paul’s first since his sixth-round knockout loss to former heavyweight champion Joshua in Miami on December 19 last year, when his jaw was fractured in two places, injuries that required multiple surgeries in December and February.

“I have spent years proving people wrong, taking risks and pushing myself against opponents nobody thought I would face,” Paul said in a statement.

“Nothing that’s happened has changed my belief in myself or what I’m working toward. I am hungrier than ever and on December 24 I’m returning to the ring in Dubai to start the next chapter of my journey.

“We’ve got plenty of names on the list; let’s see who signs the contract,” he added.

Paul has a 12-2 professional record, with his only defeats coming against Britain’s Tommy Fury and Joshua.

He also fought Mike Tyson in an exhibition fight in which he beat the former heavyweight champion in a unanimous points decision, although the bout drew criticism as a sham event.

Jake Paul will return to the ring for the first time since losing to Anthony Joshua against a yet to be confirmed opponent on 24 December.

American Paul had two titanium plates fitted and some teeth removed after Joshua broke his jaw during their heavyweight bout in December 2025.

The 29-year-old influencer said in May that his boxing career was “most definitely” in doubt.

Paul will headline a card in Dubai on Christmas Eve, with several names understood to be in contention to be his opponent.

“I’ve spent years proving people wrong, taking risks, and pushing myself against opponents nobody thought I’d face,” Paul said.

“Nothing that’s happened has changed my belief in myself or what I’m working toward. I’m hungrier than ever.

“We’ve got plenty of names on the list; let’s see who signs the contract. Merry Christmas, Dubai. Santa Paul is coming to town, and somebody’s getting knocked out.”

Paul has won 12 of his 14 fights as a professional, with his two defeats coming against Tommy Fury and Joshua.