Ryder Cup trio voice concerns over safety of DP World Tour but Open champion ‘trusts’ decision makers

A trio of the DP World Tour’s top stars have voiced their concerns about the season-ending events in the Middle East.

The DP World Tour playoffs in November are scheduled to take place at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi and then Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.

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But given the political tension in the region this year, there are major doubts over the safety of the two showpiece tournaments.

Both are among the most lucrative on the tour while the season-long Race To Dubai prize will also be decided.

However, Matt Fitzpatrick, who won the DP World Tour Championship last year, is not comfortable with heading to the Middle East this autumn.

Fitzpatrick, who became a father for the first time this summer, said: "Being completely honest as things stand right now, I would say I'm not that comfortable. No, I wouldn't be that comfortable.

"A few things have obviously changed for me, perspective and stuff. I've had a child in August, and that obviously kind of changes things, I guess, a bit more.

"I think just in the case of what you read on news, I know the news, where you get your news isn't always - can be very one-sided, particularly in the US, but I think for me, as things 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 sort of looked on the UK website, I know they have changed from essential travel only to one step better than that.

"Obviously I know the Tour has been on this for a long time. It's obviously frustrating that the decision hasn't been made so you can plan what's going on.

"But I understand there's obviously a lot of moving parts to that, and it's obviously 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.

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"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 begs the question, would we, I guess."

Robert MacIntyre, who also recently became a new father, echoed the concerns of his Ryder Cup team-mate.

He added: “I don’t know what I am going to play in.

“To be honest, I’m not wanting to go to the Middle East with everything that is going on. I’ll constantly be keeping an eye on what is going on out there before I make a decision.

“My goal is to turn up this week and hopefully have a chance on Sunday then I will play in the Dunhill Links (as the defending champion) and see where we are at.”

Shane Lowry won the Irish Open last weekend so will qualify for the playoffs but says he’s keeping his options open.

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“As of last week, I wasn’t even in the Middle East events [having not qualified yet],” Lowry said. “I haven’t had a chance to think about it but, to be honest, I was planning on taking a decent break this winter, so I’m not sure I’m planning on going anyway.

“I don’t know. We’ll just have to wait and see what they do. The Tour will make a decision pretty soon and they are huge decisions for everyone – for the Tour, for Dubai itself, for Abu Dhabi. 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. Fortunately enough, I’m in a position that if they are not on in November or January, I’ve got options.”

Open champion Ryan Fox has a different opinion and he is happy to trust the tour’s decision.

"Obviously there are some concerns. I'm obviously of the opinion that the Tour is doing their due diligence. If they feel like it's safe for us to go, I'm willing to support that," he said.

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"But I can understand, also, why guys have some reservations. I'll keep monitoring it. If I feel like it's not the right decision, I might not go but at this point I trust the Tour's decision in that regard."

A spokesperson for the DP World Tour said: “We are in constant dialogue with our members and their management teams about the tournaments they play in, but ultimately players’ individual schedule choices are a matter for them 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 Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links is scheduled to take place from November 5-8 with the season-finale DP World Tour Championship in Dubai the following week.

Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick, MacIntyre, Lowry and Fox are all in action at the flagship BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth this week.