Tag: Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic

Report: Tech CEO who played in upscale golf events while employees went unpaid raided by FBI, charged with fraud

If he’s found guilty of the charges, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

A tech CEO who was jetsetting and playing in prestigious golf events — like the JP McManus Pro-Am and the LIV Golf Invitational’s pro-am at The Centurion Club — while his staff went unpaid was raided by the FBI on Tuesday morning at his Dallas-area mansion, according to a report in Forbes.

Chris Kirchner, the founder of logistics company Slync, was charged with fraud by multiple federal agencies. According to a complaint, Kirchner is being accused of wire fraud and misappropriating $20 million of the company’s funds. If he’s found guilty of the charges, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

Kirchner’s love of golf was well known by his employees, and the firm even became the title sponsor of the Dubai Desert Classic in September 2021, taking over after Omega’s 12-year run with the event.

But while Kirchner played in the JP McManus Pro-Am — which had pros like Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka and Scottie Scheffler in the field — the firm’s almost 100 employees had long gaps without paychecks.

Kirchner, meanwhile, bought a private jet valued at $15 million, joined an exclusive country club in Dallas, purchased a number of expensive cars, and even attempted to buy the English football team Derby County. He also played alongside Sergio Garcia in the LIV Golf pro-am event at the Centurion Club.

“This defendant flaunted his apparent wealth while allegedly diverting millions from company coffers into his private bank account,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “Slync investors and employees are understandably outraged, and we sympathize. We look forward to holding Mr. Kirchner accountable in federal court.”

According to Forbes, Kirchner had been selling TVs for Best Buy just a few years ago, but his rocket-like rise to a perceived perch atop the tech world allowed for a newfound lifestyle that included the membership at Vaquero, which is ranked as one of the best private courses in Texas, according to Golfweek’s Best’s state-by-state list. The initiation at the club, which includes a Tom Fazio-designed course, is $175,000 with annual dues of more than $15,000, according to one report.

Slync’s deal with the Dubai Desert Classic was terminated in 2022 and Kirchner was removed from his position by the board of directors.

“As the criminal complaint alleges, Mr. Kirchner used his position as a CEO to defraud investors and the company he worked for by diverting funds for his personal benefit. He did this to fund a lavish lifestyle at the expense of those that trusted him to act responsibly and ethically,” said FBI Dallas Acting Special Agent in Charge James J. Dwyer. “The FBI will remain persistent in our efforts to hold individuals accountable that commit such brazen acts of corporate greed.”

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Viktor Hovland wins 2022 Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic in playoff after birdie-eagle-birdie finish

“This is pretty wild. I didn’t really think this was possible going in today,” said Hovland.

Viktor Hovland and Richard Bland went low late on Sunday to set up a thrilling finish to the DP World Tour’s 2022 Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic.

The 24-year-old Norwegian took the clubhouse lead at Emirates Golf Club with a birdie-eagle-birdie finish to post the number to beat at 12 under. Bland, who earned his first win on tour last year at the Betfred British Masters, finished his round with consecutive birdies to tie Hovland and force a playoff. Two-time champion Rory McIlroy missed out on the playoff after finding the water on the final hole.

Replaying the 18th hole, Hovland made birdie to claim his second DP World Tour title in addition to the 2021 BMW International Open. The former star at Oklahoma State also has three wins on the PGA Tour: the 2020 Puerto Rico Open, 2020 Mayakoba Golf Classic and 2021 World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba. Hovland also won December’s Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.

“This is pretty wild. I didn’t really think this was possible going in today,” said Hovland, who started the day six shots off the lead. “I knew I had to shoot a really low number but a lot of things had to go my way and I’m thankful that they did.

Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic
Viktor Hovland of Norway tees off on the eighth hole during the final round of the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club on January 30, 2022 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

“I was fuming after the three-putt on 15 and thought that was it and I knew I just had to try to finish off well and get a nice position for the week,” he continued. “I rolled a really long one on 16 and then on 17 and, hey, we got a shot.”

McIlroy finished third at 11 under, followed by five players T-4 at 8 under: Justin Harding, Tyrrell Hatton, Sam Horsfield, Adrian Meronk and Erik van Rooyen.

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Justin Harding leads Rory McIlroy by two entering final round at Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic

Rory McIlroy sits two shots behind Justin Harding; Tommy Fleetwood is just three back.

Justin Harding didn’t have a glamorous third round, only putting down three non-pars on the scorecard. Back-to-back birdies on Nos. 13 and 14 offset an early bogey on eight for a Saturday 1-under 71 but Harding still holds a two-shot lead over his closest counterpart at the DP World Tour’s at Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic.

“I thought I played quite solid. It was a difficult day to be fair, some tough flags to get at,” he said. “There were times when I didn’t quite put the ball in play and I couldn’t really go anywhere near them.”

Despite the lead, he’s not counting on everyone behind him falling away on Sunday.

“At the end of the day, I’ve just got to go out and keep doing what I’m doing and make a couple of birdies and shoot 70, 69, something like that,” he said. “Make them shoot five or six under par and credit to them.”

The player sitting just two shots behind? Mr. Rory McIlroy.

He has now found himself in three Sunday final-round groups in his last four official starts. His scorecard consisted of four birdies, three bogeys, and an eagle for a day three total of 3-under 69. The big bird was set up by this beautiful, high-cut seven iron into the 10th.

“I’m excited. I had a really good chance back in 2018, sorta let it slip through my fingers there. It’s nice to give myself another opportunity.”

With a win Sunday, McIlroy would join Ernie Els as the only other player to win this event three times.

Other notable names and where they stand:

Tommy Fleetwood (T-3, 9 under)
Tyrrell Hatton (T-5, 8 under)
Viktor Hovland (T-13, 6 under)
Sergio Garcia (T-13, 6 under)
Collin Morikawa (T-20, 4 under)
Adam Scott (T-20, 4 under)

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Justin Harding builds two-shot lead heading into the weekend at Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic

Tyrrell Hatton, Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland among names within striking distance.

After the first round was suspended due to darkness, Justin Harding came back Friday morning to play the par-5 18th hole last. He would make birdie and end the first round in a tie for the 18-hole lead. The South African would build on that throughout his Friday round.

Harding signed for four birdies, two bogeys, and a 183-yard hole-out eagle on the sixth for a second day 4-under 68.

“I rolled the ball pretty good and, for the most part, kept bogeys off the card. Hit the fairway on the longer, tougher par fours,” he said of his second-round effort. “Ultimately just grinding. It was a grind of a day today, to be fair, just a bonus there on six.”

Harding has been in contention at this event over the last few seasons and hopes to capitalize on his good play thus far.

Tyrrell Hatton reacts to holing his third shot on the 14th hole during the second round of the DP World Tour’s Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club on January 28, 2022 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images)

Tyrrell Hatton charged up the leaderboard with a second-round 6-under 66. The Englishman, after opening with a bogey, drew four-straight circles on the card on Nos. 2-5. He’d add three more birdies on his back nine and now sits two back in solo second.

“I didn’t get off to a great start with a bogey on the first hole but battled back from there and played a lot of good golf today and hope that can continue into the weekend,” Hatton said of his day. “I gave myself plenty of opportunities most of the day and putted lovely. Holed a couple of good par putts when I needed to and momentum was on my side today.”

After an up-and-down opening round, Rory McIlroy fired a bogey-free 6-under 66 on Friday highlighted by a chip-in eagle on the 13th.

“I certainly hit the ball as good as I’ve done in a long time and it could have been a few better but 66 this afternoon is a good score and sets me up for a nice weekend,” the Northern-Irishman said of his day.

McIlroy has won this event twice and is in prime position to jockey for a third.

Other notable names and where they stand:

Viktor Hovland (T-5, 7 under)
Tommy Fleetwood (T-10, 6 under)
Sergio Garcia (T-25, 3 under)
Collin Morikawa (T-25, 3 under)
Adam Scott (T-25, 3 under)

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Joachim Hansen leads Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic, but opening round suspended due to darkness

Sergio Garcia, Tommy Fleetwood, and Collin Morikawa sit within three strokes of leader Joachim Hansen.

The DP World Tour is in Dubai this week for the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club. Several of the biggest names in golf are in the field including Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa, and Viktor Hovland.

They’re all chasing Joachim Hansen, who fired an opening-round, bogey-free 7-under 65, which included a stretch of four consecutive birdies beginning at the second hole. It was good enough to grab the clubhouse lead when play was suspended due to darkness. The Danish Olympian tied for 62nd last week in Abu Dhabi.

Sergio Garcia also got through Thursday’s round without making a bogey, signing for a 5-under 67. Joining Garcia at 5 under is Tommy Fleetwood, who’s coming off a mediocre performance at Yas Links where he tied for 48th.

Tommy Fleetwood of England looks on during day one of the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club on January 27, 2022, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Morikawa had it rolling during his opening nine, making six birdies to turn with a 31. He would add another birdie on the second (his 11th), before limping home with three bogeys on his last four holes for a 68. After a disappointing finish last week (T-62), Morikawa put in a lot of work before his Thursday effort.

“It was a disappointing finish but I’ve been working Monday through Wednesday, late into yesterday even after the pro-am just trying to figure things out,” he said. “When you’re thinking about so much you always have to remember to go and play golf so I’m happy with the four under, not thrilled, but to see some of the things that I’ve been working on show up on the course was really nice.”

The American will tee off Friday at least three back.

The opening round was suspended due to darkness with six golfers still on the course. That included Justin Harding, who currently sits at 6 under, and has the par 5 last to play and could take the outright lead with an eagle.  Play is expected to resume Friday morning.

Other notable names to complete their round and where they sit include:

Hovland (4 under)
Tyrrell Hatton (3 under)
Adam Scott (3 under)
Thomas Pieters (2 under)
Rory McIlroy (1 under)

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