Pep Guardiola swapped the football pitch for the fairways of Yas Links on Wednesday, joining close friend Tommy Fleetwood for a round of golf as some of the world's biggest stars descended on the UAE capital for the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship.
The former Manchester City manager, who stepped down earlier this year following a trophy-laden decade at the club, was among the famous faces taking part in the tournament's Pro-Am ahead of the opening round on Thursday.
While Guardiola was enjoying some time away from football, Fleetwood was preparing for another shot at Abu Dhabi glory, with Rory McIlroy also arriving at Yas Links looking to end a remarkable winless streak at the event and strengthen his bid for a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title.
For Guardiola and Fleetwood, Wednesday's round was the latest chapter in a friendship that stretches back to 2018.
The pair first played together at Sandiway Golf Club in Cheshire in April that year, coincidentally on the same day Manchester United's defeat to West Brom handed Guardiola his first Premier League title with City.
They reunited a month later at the BMW PGA Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth and have remained close ever since.
And according to Fleetwood, Guardiola's retirement from management has finally given the English golfer a chance to get some footballing wisdom out of his friend.
"He answers some of my questions now, which is nice," Fleetwood joked.
"Now that he's not completely focused on what he's doing, that's been a little treat.
"He's really passionate about the game and he loves it. We talk about it a lot. He doesn't listen to me and then blames me when it goes wrong!
"He's loving his golf at the moment. He's got a bit more time on his hands, and I think messing around on a golf course is one of his favourite things to do."
Fleetwood, who has previously spoken about learning from Guardiola's approach to preparation, diet, sleep and training, believes there is plenty that elite athletes can take from one of football's most successful managers.
"Obviously he's one of the best of all time at what he does," he said.
"I'm just very lucky to have a great mind like his around me, to be able to pick his brains and try to pick things up."
As for Guardiola's actual golfing ability?
"He swings it great. He's just like every other golfer. He doesn't like his own swing and he's always working on it, but we're all the same."
For Fleetwood, the focus now switches to competitive action as he attempts to win the Abu Dhabi title for a third time.
The UAE-based Englishman won consecutive editions in 2017 and 2018, when the tournament was staged at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, and came agonisingly close to another victory last year before losing a play-off to Aaron Rai at Yas Links.
McIlroy chasing history – and an elusive Abu Dhabi victory
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy has some unfinished business of his own in the UAE capital.
Despite winning seven times in Dubai, the Northern Irishman has remarkably never lifted the Abu Dhabi trophy.
That is not for a lack of trying.
McIlroy has finished runner-up four times and third on another six occasions, including third-place finishes at Yas Links in each of the last two seasons.
Now, as he chases an eighth Race to Dubai crown that would draw him level with Colin Montgomerie's all-time record, he is hoping to finally get over the line.
"I feel like the UAE in general has been a good place for me," McIlroy said.
"It's crazy to think that the 15 years that I've been coming here with how many times I've been in contention, I haven't been able to get over line.
"Hopefully this year I give myself another chance."
McIlroy arrives in Abu Dhabi third in the Race to Dubai standings, behind leader Eugenio Chacarra and second-placed Patrick Reed.
With enhanced ranking points available at the Rolex Series event, the battle for the season-long title could take another significant twist before the Tour heads to Dubai for next week's season finale.
"I'd love to win," McIlroy added.
"I need a big week to give myself a real chance going into Dubai next week, as well. Hopefully I play well and at least give myself another chance."
The Northern Irishman will begin his tournament alongside Chacarra and Reed in a heavyweight three-ball featuring the top three players in the Race to Dubai rankings.
While McIlroy and Reed have plenty of history, including memorable encounters at the 2016 Ryder Cup and 2023 Hero Dubai Desert Classic, it will be McIlroy's first competitive round alongside Chacarra.
"He's had a great season," McIlroy said of the Spaniard.
"I'm sure he's very high on confidence at the minute, too. It will be interesting. Patrick obviously in there as well.
"I know I need a good week this week and we're going to be playing alongside each other. So we are going to be keeping an eye and seeing how each other is doing but I'm excited for that."
The Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship takes place at Yas Links from November 5–8, bringing together the leading 70 players in the Race to Dubai rankings for the first of two DP World Tour Play-Off events.
The season then concludes at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai from November 12–15, where the leading 50 players will compete at the DP World Tour Championship.
And while Guardiola may have been the biggest name enjoying a leisurely round on Wednesday, the stakes are about to get considerably higher for the golfers chasing one of the sport's biggest season-long prizes.
