Liverpool stars having fun in the Dubai sun
If you are wondering how Premier League stars are spending their winter break, a fair sprinkling boarded planes heading here with their golf clubs. ‘Dubai never lets you down, does it?’ said Liverpool left back Andrew Robertson, smiling. Less than 48 hours after helping his team beat Crystal Palace, Robertson was on the Emirates course alongside team-mates James Milner and Alex oxlade-Chamberlain, playing with 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel in the first of two pro-ams ahead of the start of the Dubai Desert Classic tomorrow. Harry Maguire and Jordan Pickford, who played a friendly game with Shane Lowry at the nearby Els Club on Monday, are down for the second pro-am today, while Jack Grealish and Jesse Lingard are two more who have been spotted enjoying a sunshine-filled 18 holes. Robertson summed up the appeal. ‘Sometimes a break is good, sometimes not so good, and in the back of my mind I know I am going back to a hell of a fight with Liverpool and Scotland,’ he said. ‘But it’s important to try to switch off, do the things you love and enjoy the nice weather. There’s been no co-ordination between us all about coming out here. It’s just a popular spot and a popular sport among players. football is so intense you need to try to recharge the batteries and come out firing and golf is a great way to relax.’ Like any keen golfer, Milner could not wait to talk with a local television station about his best moment on the course, a nett eagle at the 18th. ‘That was the best hole for all of us,’ said Robertson. ‘We played it in six under, with Charl getting an eagle as well and Alex and myself getting birdies. We were getting excited at that point but unfortunately the good stuff dried up on our back nine.’ Robertson, who is here with his family, had a chat afterwards on the range with fellow Scot Bob MacIntyre and plans to watch the first round tomorrow before heading home on friday.