Triple DP World Tour Championship Winner Seriously Concerned Teeing-Up In UAE

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Defending three-time DP World Tour Championship winner Matt Fitzpatrick is seriously concerned for the safety of all in teeing-up in the up-coming annual Race to Dubai season pair of #Race to Dubai events in the UAE.

As has been the scenario since 2009 the UAE has hosted the season-ending duo the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship scheduled for the 5th to 8th November and the following week’s season-closing DP World Tour Championship in Dubai a week later.

Fitzpatrick may not have captured the season-ending Rolex Series No. 1 title but the former US Open champion but he clearly knows the shortest route around the host Jumeirah course capturing the DP World Tour Championship in 2016, 2020 and a year ago.

However, this year’s closing UAE duo appear to be under threat given the volatile nature of politics in the region at the moment, not least the Iran war.

“Being completely honest as things stand right now, I would say I’m not that comfortable [playing in the Middle East],” said Fitzpatrick when asked his thoughts ahead of teeing-up in this week’s BMW PGA Championship at Tour HQ in leafy Surrey.

“No, I wouldn’t be that comfortable.

“A few things have obviously changed for me [since last playing there], perspective and stuff. I’ve had a child in August, and that obviously kind of changes things, I guess, a bit more.

“As things are right now, it would feel a little bit weird, given what I’m reading elsewhere. Things can change overnight, I’m sure. I think it seems to be going down that path of things are getting better. I’ve looked on the UK government website and I know they have changed from essential travel only to one step better than that.

“The Tour has been on this for a long time and it’s obviously frustrating that the decision hasn’t been made so you can plan what’s going on. But I understand there’s a lot of moving parts to that, and it’s difficult to make these decisions.

“I think if the tour do go, I’m sure they have had the best advice possible on what that looks like. As things stand right now, I wouldn’t necessarily be too keen on going. I know there’s been discussions on what Formula 1 is doing. I don’t know the rumours that side but I’ve heard they might not be going there, so that begs the question, would we?”

The current World No. 4 ranked Fitzpatrick added:  “It’s not for me to make these decisions. I’m not paid to do that,” added Fitzpatrick. “I just don’t feel like my opinion would hold that much weight.

“I know I’ve been asked on my opinion, but I don’t necessarily think it’s like a heavyweight voice that’s going to do much. I spoke to a couple of the guys [other players] and some of them have said they are uncomfortable. Some have said it’s fine, so I guess we’ll see.

“It’s a difficult subject. I’m sure the Middle East, particularly Abu Dhabi and Dubai, want the DP World Tour to go there badly because it’s great for them and it’s a great event for two weeks. It’s great for the tourism and all that sort of stuff.

“I wouldn’t say that I have had regular contact [with the DP World Tour]. I feel like it’s been very vague the whole time and they have not necessarily had open communication. And that’s not me having a go, I just think it is a difficult topic for them to make a decision on.”

Of course, if there is concern heading into the end of the 2026 DP World Tour season there must also be some worry heading into 2027 and after the Tour confirmed earlier today the staging in January and February next year of the Team Cup in Abu Dhabi, the following week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic followed seven days later by the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship and February 3rd commencing Qatar Masters.

 



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