The DP World Tour is moving ahead with two major golf tournaments in the United Arab Emirates despite rising tensions and continued conflict in the Middle East. However, concerns about safety and travel have led several leading players to stay away.
The tour’s Race to Dubai playoffs begin this week with the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship at Yas Links. The season will then reach its final stage next week at the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.
The Abu Dhabi event features 70 players selected from the season-long Race to Dubai rankings. Among them are current leader Eugenio Chacarra, second-ranked Patrick Reed and third-ranked Rory McIlroy.
Yet 11 eligible players have decided not to compete. The most notable absences include reigning Open champion Ryan Fox and former major winner Matt Fitzpatrick.
The number of withdrawals is higher than last year. Only four eligible players missed the Abu Dhabi event in the previous season, and none came from the top 10 in the rankings.
Other players who will not take part include Shane Lowry, Alex Fitzpatrick, Min Woo Lee, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Ludvig Aberg, Robert MacIntyre, Si Woo Kim, Justin Rose and Ryan Gerard. Gerard is also the pre-tournament favourite at the PGA Tour’s World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico.
Not all the absences are linked to security concerns. However, Fox and Fitzpatrick have both spoken publicly about their worries over travelling to the region while the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel continues.
Fitzpatrick raised concerns about the trip last month. He said he did not feel comfortable travelling to the Middle East under the current conditions. He also questioned the level of communication from the DP World Tour about the situation.
The English golfer, who recently became a father, said the uncertainty made the decision more difficult. He had previously expressed concern about travelling to Abu Dhabi and Dubai with a newborn child at home.
Fox also left open the possibility of missing the tournaments. He said he would not travel if he believed it was the wrong decision.
The security situation has already affected other golf events in the region. In October, the Asian Tour postponed the PIF Saudi International after Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. The tournament had been scheduled to take place from November 18 to 21.
However, the HotelPlanner Tour recently held an event in Abu Dhabi without cancelling the competition. This has provided some indication that professional golf can still take place in the UAE despite wider regional tensions.
Travel guidance also reflects the uncertainty. The United States continues to list the UAE at Level 3, which advises people to reconsider travel. Its warning refers to attacks linked to Iranian-supported Houthi forces in Saudi Arabia. It also says that further escalation could cause serious disruption.
The United Kingdom does not currently have a specific travel advisory against visiting the UAE. However, its official guidance warns that the Middle East remains unpredictable. It also notes the risk of sudden escalation and attacks on locations connected to the United States and Israel.
For players and caddies arriving at Yas Links, tournament organisers have prepared emergency procedures. A notice issued to competitors explains what they must do if UAE authorities send a public mobile phone alert during the event.
Under the plan, play must stop immediately. A long blast from the course air horns will signal the suspension. Players and caddies must then leave the course and move to the clubhouse using the designated evacuation routes.
Tour staff will provide further information inside the clubhouse. Updates will also be shared through the players’ online portal. Anyone who receives an alert away from the course must follow the instructions issued by local authorities.
These measures show that organisers are preparing for the possibility of a sudden security incident, even as they continue with the tournament schedule.
McIlroy has previously expressed confidence in the decision to stage events in the region. Asked about possible safety concerns in September, he said he trusted local governments to assess the risks. He added that authorities would not knowingly put residents or visitors in danger.
The Northern Irish golfer also spoke warmly about the Middle East, saying he has many friends in the region and looks forward to returning.
His view contrasts with the concerns raised by some players. The tournaments are proceeding, but the withdrawals show that competitors are making different decisions about the risks.
The next two weeks will be important for the Race to Dubai standings. With leading players competing in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the events will help decide the season’s final positions. At the same time, organisers must keep security plans ready as the wider regional situation remains uncertain.
