DP World Tour plans to keep Playoffs in UAE despite player safety concerns

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings discussed the plans for the season-ending Playoffs, the Strategic Alliance with the PGA Tour and the bright future the tour has within the global game

DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings has confirmed that the plan is to keep the season-ending Playoffs 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 Playoffs 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.

"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."

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.

Introducing the 2027 DP World Tour global tournament schedule 🌍 ◾️ Three historic tournaments return ◾️ Hong Kong Open and Deutsche Bank Singapore Open co-sanctioned with Asian Tour ◾️ New dates for Amgen Irish Open, FedEx Open de France and BMW PGA Championship ◾️ 42… pic.twitter.com/mD3QTvJspe

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.