Matt Fitzpatrick has admitted he wouldn’t be comfortable playing DP World Tour events in the Middle East due to ongoing conflict in the region.
The finale of the 2026 DP World Tour season sees back-to-back events in the United Arab Emirates, with the Abu Dhabi Championship scheduled for 5-8 November and the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai a week later.
However, these events appear to be under threat given the volatile nature of politics in the region at the moment, not least the Iran war.
DP World Tour leadership is yet to make a decision over whether to still stage these events in the planned locations and golf is far from the only sport grappling with the issue, with F1 facing a huge potential problem surrounding their final two races of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, scheduled for late November/early December.
And 2022 US Open winner Fitzpatrick has spoken out ahead of this week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, nailing his colours to the mast.
“Being completely honest as things stand right now, I would say I’m not that comfortable [playing in the Middle East],” said Fitzpatrick. “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?”
Fitzpatrick feels his opinion on the situation as one player wouldn’t necessarily be listened to, which he says he accepts.
“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.”
There is also traditionally a Middle Eastern swing early in the year, so event such as the Dubai Invitational, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, the Bahrain Championship and the Qatar Masters – which happened in January and February this year – could also be under threat in 2027 if the situation is not sorted quickly.
Shane Lowry – who won the Irish Open last week – said he was happy to wait for a decision from the powers-that-be.
“As of last week, I wasn’t even in the Middle East events [having not qualified yet],” explained Lowry. “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.”
