McIlroy Commits to Abu Dhabi as DP World Tour Finale Holds

Rory McIlroy has confirmed he will play the Abu Dhabi Championship in November, signaling the DP World Tour's season-ending Middle East swing will proceed as scheduled despite some players' concerns about the region's political climate.

Why were players concerned about the Middle East finale?

Matt Fitzpatrick had questioned playing in the Middle East given the ongoing war in Iran, and reports had circulated of the tour exploring alternative venues in Spain and Portugal. Fitzpatrick has since softened his stance, and McIlroy has backed Abu Dhabi and Dubai as safe for travel.

The tournament has been renamed the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship after real estate developer Aldar signed on as title sponsor, running November 5-8 at Yas Links ahead of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

What is at stake in the Race to Dubai?

McIlroy, who has finished runner-up at the Abu Dhabi event four times, trails Reed by 308 points after Reed's tie for second at the BMW PGA Championship. A record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title would put McIlroy level with Colin Montgomerie's all-time mark.

McIlroy has finished runner-up at the Abu Dhabi event four times and has never won it.

"I really enjoy finishing my season in the UAE, and hopefully I can have a strong week and put myself in a position to win another Race to Dubai title," McIlroy said. "I've finished runner-up here four times, so I'd obviously love to go one better and finally win it."

What happened to Patrick Reed at Wentworth?

Reed built a Race to Dubai lead after the Amgen Irish Open before hitting a tree root during round two at Wentworth and withdrawing with a wrist injury. He will skip the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship but is set to return next week at the Open de España, where he faces a field including Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, and has been confirmed for the DP World Tour Championship.