Matt Fitzpatrick says he is not “100% comfortable” with the prospect of travelling to Dubai for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in November when he is due to be defending champion.
Fitzpatrick is concerned that the United Arab Emirates could be a target in the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel.
“You’ve only got to look at the hotel that got hit earlier this year,” Fitzpatrick told BBC Sport. “I was having dinner the week I won in that hotel.
“That’s obviously very scary when you think about how it was a few months away but how close you were to that particular spot and for something like that to happen. It’s obviously quite scary.”
Fitzpatrick would like to see the event switched to a different host country, a decision he called a “no brainer, in my opinion” before adding: “But I’m not a sponsor, I’m not paying the bills and all that sort of stuff.
“I’m sure there’s more to it than just the meets the eye.”
Led by chief executive Guy Kinnings, DP World Tour officials are assessing safety issues for their final two play-off events in Abu Dhabi and then Dubai.
Both tournaments are backed by key sponsors of the European-based tour and provide a lucrative end to the season for the circuit’s leading money winners.
“I think it’s annoying, but at the same time, Guy Kinnings can’t control what Iran are doing,” Fitzpatrick added.
“It is frustrating because as someone who likes to plan and be prepared, it is difficult to kind of figure out what’s going on. Obviously, things as they stand are a bit weird over there.
“I can’t say I’m like 100% comfortable, but I guess you just have to see nearer the time and, you know, I still need to qualify as well.”
Fitzpatrick’s Ryder Cup team-mate Shane Lowry said the tour faces important choices over how to end the current season. “They are huge decisions for everyone,” said last week’s winner of the Irish Open.
“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.”
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.”
