DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings has confirmed that the plan is to keep the season-ending Play-offs in the Middle East, despite ongoing conflict in the region.
The Abu Dhabi Championship is scheduled to be held at Yas Links on November 5-8, before the Race to Dubai season reaches its climax at the DP World Tour Championship the following week.
There has been speculation throughout the season over whether both events would move to a different country, with Formula 1 cancelling two events earlier in the year in the region and discussions ongoing over whether races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead.
Matt Fitzpatrick and Bob MacIntyre were among players to express concerns about travelling to the UAE, despite a relaxing of the previous “all but essential travel” guidelines from the UK’s Foreign Office, with Kinnings hopeful both events can take place as planned.
“A lot of people are asking and it’s an obvious question,” Kinnings told Sky Sports. “The reality is we expect every intention to be playing in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
“Work has started and we’re building stuff at Yas Links and at the Jumeirah Golf Estates, so our intention is to go ahead.
“We clearly need to keep in touch with travel advisors and other people who help with us, but our plan is definitely to play the Play-offs in the UAE.”
Defending DP World Tour champion Fitzpatrick said on Wednesday that he was “not that comfortable” playing in Dubai, given its proximity to the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, although McIlroy was less concerned.
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Highlights of day four from the 2025 DP World Championship in Dubai, where Fitzpatrick edged out Rory McIlroy in a dramatic finish
“If the local governments feel like it’s safe to put on these events, they are not going to put their citizens or people visiting in harm’s way,” McIlroy said after his opening round at the BMW PGA Championship.
“I love the Middle East. I have a lot of friends there and I’m looking forward to going back for sure.”
‘Future looks bright for DP World Tour’
The DP World Tour announced its 2027 schedule at the BMW PGA Championship, with the Flagship Event being held a week later next year and immediately after the centenary Ryder Cup at Adare Manor.
JJ Spaun and Ryan Gerard were among the limited American players to make the trip over to England for the event, despite more spots being available to PGA Tour players, although Kinnings hopes to see more make the journey in the future.
“I think the future schedule will lend itself to that,” Kinnings said. “We’ve got a great working relationship with the PGA Tour and we’re working with them on what the future will look like.
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“I think the way the schedule’s set up, with golf in America stopping at the end of August, we’ve got the opportunity to shine from September 1 until the end of January. I think that’ll mean more of the guys will come and play in great events like this and some of the other tournaments as well.”
Kinnings added: “I have to say, I couldn’t be more excited. I think it’s a huge opportunity for international golf. We clearly have wonderful players and we have an opportunity to shine in the schedule.”
The DP World Tour has yet to announce whether it will impose sanctions for its members wishing to play in the new iteration of the LIV Golf League, should LIV 2.0 go ahead as planned in 2027, with Kinnings keen to see the strongest fields possible on his circuit.
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McIlroy feels it is inevitable some players will choose to leave LIV Golf and believes the DP World Tour can benefit
“We’ve been very consistent on the whole question and we’re going to continue that way,” Kinnings insisted. “What will happen with LIV is entirely speculation, but from our perspective we want to find a balance. As a business, we just love to have the best fields we possibly can with the best players.
“But we’re also a member’s organisation and our job is purely to make sure we look out for the best interests of the members. We have a wonderful tour, amazing culture and that’s because of the players, so nothing’s going to change on that front.
“I think we’re in a stronger position as we can possibly be. We’ve got great partners and the future looks bright – we now just need to work out exactly what it looks like.”
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
