DUBAI — Defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick says he is not "100% comfortable" travelling to Dubai for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in November, citing concerns the United Arab Emirates could be a target in the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel. Fitzpatrick, who won his third DP World Tour Championship in November 2025, pointed to a hotel that was hit earlier this year where he dined during his winning week.
"You've only got to look at the hotel that got hit earlier this year," Fitzpatrick told BBC Sport. "I was having dinner the week I won in that hotel. That's obviously very scary when you think about how it was a few months away but how close you were to that particular spot and for something like that to happen. It's obviously quite scary." He said moving the event to a different host country would be a "no brainer, in my opinion," adding: "But I'm not a sponsor, I'm not paying the bills and all that sort of stuff. I'm sure there's more to it than just the meets the eye." Led by chief executive Guy Kinnings, DP World Tour officials are assessing safety issues for the final two play-off events in Abu Dhabi and then Dubai, both backed by key sponsors and providing a lucrative end to the season for the circuit's leading money winners.
"I think it's annoying, but at the same time, Guy Kinnings can't control what Iran are doing," Fitzpatrick added. "It is frustrating because as someone who likes to plan and be prepared, it is difficult to kind of figure out what's going on. Obviously, things as they stand are a bit weird over there. I can't say I'm like 100% comfortable, but I guess you just have to see nearer the time and, you know, I still need to qualify as well." His Ryder Cup team-mate Shane Lowry, winner of last week's Irish Open, said: "They are huge decisions for everyone. I'm not going to sit here and comment on the whole thing because I think it's up to the powers above to sort that all out. I think if the tournaments are on, the players are going to go. And if they are not, they will find an alternative."
A spokesperson for the DP World Tour said the tour is in constant dialogue with members and their management teams about tournaments, but that individual schedule choices are for players to decide. "As far as our play-offs are concerned, it remains our intention to play as scheduled in the UAE but we continue to monitor the situation and take advice from our international travel advisors," the spokesperson said.