Matt Fitzpatrick shares why he feels uncomfortable about traveling to Middle East for DP World Tour finale
Matt Fitzpatrick Voices Unease Over DP World Tour’s Middle‑East Finals
The DP World Tour’s plans to stage the season‑ending Race to Dubai playoff in the Middle East have met with growing uncertainty, and one of its most prominent competitors, Matt Fitzpatrick, has publicly expressed discomfort with the arrangement.
Fitzpatrick, who captured the 2025 DP World Tour Championship in a playoff victory over Rory McIlroy and currently sits third on the world’s golf rankings, told reporters on the eve of this week’s BMW PGA Championship in England that the prospect of the final two tournaments being held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai “makes me not that comfortable.” The 2022 U.S. Open champion added that the arrival of a new child in August has shifted his priorities and heightened his concerns about the logistics and safety of playing in a region plagued by ongoing conflicts.
The DP World Tour’s two‑event playoff will, in theory, begin on November 5 with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links. The series would conclude the following week on November 12 with the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai. Both tournaments carry hefty purses—$9 million for the former and $10 million for the latter—plus a $2 million bonus for the overall Race to Dubai champion.
“Not me personally,” Fitzpatrick said when asked if he believed his views would influence the tour’s decision. “It’s not for me to make these decisions… I just don’t feel like my opinion would hold that much weight.” He acknowledged that the DP World Tour’s agents had told him the location decision should have been finalized by June, yet as of mid‑September, the tour has not confirmed whether the events will remain in the Middle East.
According to Fitzpatrick, some of his fellow players have echoed his reservations. “I spoke to a couple of the guys and some of them have said they are uncomfortable. Some have said it’s fine,” he said. The split sentiment underscores the broader uncertainty surrounding the tour’s logistics, as players grapple with travel arrangements, training schedules, and personal safety in a volatile region.
While the DP World Tour retains the authority to set its calendar—its decisions carry significant financial implications—the lack of clarity is proving troublesome for competitors. “Now, in mid‑September, it’s still not clear if the final two events on the calendar could be moved,” Fitzpatrick noted. Without a confirmed venue, players find it difficult to prepare, secure sponsorships, and coordinate travel plans for the climax of the season.
Fitzpatrick’s comments come at a time when the DP World Tour faces mounting pressure from players, sponsors, and fans who question whether hosting the most lucrative events of the year in a region with frequent security concerns is prudent. The tour’s leadership has not yet issued a definitive statement confirming the venue schedule for the playoffs, leaving the golf world in a state of limbo.
As the season draws to a close, the DP World Tour’s handling of the playoff locations will likely shape its reputation and the willingness of top players to commit to future seasons. For now, the final two events of the 2025 Race to Dubai remain on the calendar—albeit with an uncertain future—and Fitzpatrick and his peers are watching closely for the tour’s next move.
