DP World Tour to Stage UAE Play-Offs Despite Regional Tensions
By Staff Writer
2 min read
Key takeaways
- The DP World Tour will stage its season-ending play-offs in Abu Dhabi and Dubai as scheduled next month.
- The decision follows the Asian Tour's postponement of the PIF Saudi International after an attack near Riyadh airport.
- Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed and Eugenio Chacarra are contesting the Race to Dubai title.
- Matt Fitzpatrick said he was initially uncomfortable traveling to the region before softening his stance.
The DP World Tour intends to play its two season-ending events, the Abu Dhabi Championship and the DP World Tour Championship, as scheduled next month despite ongoing tension in the Middle East.
Why was there doubt about the UAE events?
The Asian Tour recently postponed its own season finale, the PIF Saudi International, after an attack near Riyadh airport. The region remains on alert amid the United States' conflict with Iran, which has included missile and drone strikes on the UAE this year.
What has the tour decided?
The tour says it has taken advice from international travel advisors and is continuing to build toward both tournaments. A spokesperson told Golf Monthly: "It is our intention to play the two play-off events as scheduled in the UAE next month, but we continue to monitor the situation and take advice from our international travel advisors."
How have players reacted?
Fitzpatrick said he was initially "not comfortable" with traveling to the Middle East, before softening his stance and deferring to the tour. McIlroy has continued to back staging the events. Open champion Ryan Fox said he trusts the tour's evaluation but understands other players' reservations, adding he would reconsider his own plans if that view changed.
The tour's play-off math is unaffected for now: Reed, McIlroy and Chacarra will decide the Race to Dubai in the UAE as planned.
Frequently asked questions
Will the DP World Tour play-offs still happen in the UAE?
Yes, for now the tour intends to stage both events as scheduled, pending ongoing security advice.
Why did the Asian Tour postpone its Saudi International?
It postponed the event after an attack near Riyadh airport heightened security concerns.
Who is competing for the Race to Dubai title?
Patrick Reed, Rory McIlroy and Eugenio Chacarra are the contenders heading into the play-offs.
- dp world tour
- rory mcilroy
- matt fitzpatrick
- patrick reed
- race to dubai
- abu dhabi championship
- dp world tour championship
