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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.<\/b><\/p>\n
Fitzpatrick is concerned that the United Arab Emirates could be a target in the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“I’m sure there’s more to it than just the meets the eye.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“I think it’s annoying, but at the same time, Guy Kinnings can’t control what Iran are doing,” Fitzpatrick added.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n