Matt Fitzpatrick has explained why he would be ‘uncomfortable’ playing in the DP World Tour Playoffs…
Matt Fitzpatrick has cast doubt on his participation in the DP World Tour’s season-ending playoffs because he’s “uncomfortable” with the fraught ongoing situation in the Middle East.
Strikes in the region have created uncertainty about a number of sporting events, including the DP World Tour’s showpiece tournaments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in November.
The UK’s Foreign Office removed its recommendation against “all but essential travel” to the United Arab Emirates in June, but has warned that “the situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable”.
Fitzpatrick says he was told in April that a decision on the playoffs would be made by June, and while preparations for the tournaments have continued as usual, the Englishman has safety reservations. He also says the lack of clarity on the situation has been “frustrating”.
“Being completely honest as things stand right now, I would say I’m not that comfortable,” the 2022 US Open champion told reporters at Wentworth, where he is playing in this week’s BMW PGA Championship. “A few things have obviously changed for me. I’ve had a child in August, and that obviously kind of changes things, I guess, a bit more.
“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.”
Fitzpatrick added: “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 One is doing. I don’t know the rumors that side but I’ve heard they might not be going there, so it begs the question: ‘Would we?’”
The Race to Dubai title will be decided by the $9 million Abu Dhabi Championship and the the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in the first two weeks of November. Despite the uncertainty, the DP World Tour still intends for both events to go ahead as planned.
“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,” a DP World Tour spokesperson explained.
“As far as our playoffs 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.”
Fitzpatrick, who is a three-time winner of the DP World Tour Championship, said he spoke with the tour’s CEO Guy Kinnings last week, but communication on the subject has otherwise been “vague”.
“It’s a difficult subject,” he conceded. “I’m sure the Middle East – particularly Abu Dhabi and Dubai – want the DP World Tour to go there badly because it’s a great event for two weeks. It’s great for the tourism and all that sort of stuff but I wouldn’t say that I have had regular contact. I feel like it’s been very vague the whole time and they have not necessarily kind of had open communication, I would say.
“That’s not like having a go. I just think it is a difficult topic for them to obviously make a decision on.”
Tommy Fleetwood lives in Dubai and has had no concerns having spent the past two weeks there, but understands the reticence of others. Ryan Fox, meanwhile, is one of several players monitoring the situation in the Middle East.
“Obviously there are some concerns,” the Open champion added. “I’m 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.
“But I can understand 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.”