Matt Fitzpatrick has raised fresh concerns about playing the DP World Tour’s postseason events in the Middle East this fall. The Englishman is scheduled to defend his DP World Tour Championship title in Dubai in November. He also remains eligible for the Abu Dhabi Championship one week earlier.
But a new chapter in his personal life and continuing regional instability have changed how he views the trip. Fitzpatrick said he is not comfortable leaving his family for the events under current conditions. His comments came as the DP World Tour continues to assess its plans for the upcoming season-ending tournaments.
Fitzpatrick’s perspective changed after becoming a father
Fitzpatrick’s concerns are closely tied to the arrival of his first child. He and his wife, Katherine, welcomed their baby in August, adding a new consideration to a schedule that previously included regular travel to the Middle East.
Speaking at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, Fitzpatrick said his perspective had changed and that he would not currently be comfortable making the trip. He also acknowledged that the situation could change quickly as the tour and authorities assess developments. His position was based on current conditions, rather than a permanent decision about future appearances.
The timing is significant because Fitzpatrick has a strong history at the DP World Tour Championship. He has won the event three times, including a playoff victory over Rory McIlroy in 2025, and would be defending the title he captured last November.
His comments, therefore, weren’t about a lack of connection to the event. They reflected a personal decision being weighed against circumstances outside the golf course, with his family now playing a larger role in his travel choices.
Regional uncertainty is central to his concerns
Fitzpatrick also pointed to the broader security situation in the Middle East. Recent reporting has linked his concerns to the ongoing war in Iran and uncertainty surrounding major sporting events in the region, while the DP World Tour has continued to assess whether its planned November events can proceed as scheduled.
The Abu Dhabi Championship is scheduled for Yas Links from Nov. 5-8, followed by the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Earth Course from Nov. 12-15. The tour has said it remains in dialogue with players and their management teams while continuing to monitor conditions and take professional travel advice.
Fitzpatrick said the lack of a final decision about the locations has made planning difficult. He described the communication about the issue as vague while also recognizing that the tour involves multiple moving parts.
The Englishman also referenced Formula 1 while discussing the situation. He suggested that uncertainty around F1’s Middle East schedule raised a fair question about why golf should automatically proceed in the same region.
Fitzpatrick remains one of golf’s biggest DP World Tour names
Fitzpatrick’s position carries extra weight because of his long relationship with the DP World Tour. The PGA Tour lists 9 international wins for Fitzpatrick, while the DP World Tour said his 2025 DP World Tour Championship victory was his 10th DP World Tour win.
His 2026 season has also reinforced his standing at the top level of professional golf. The PGA Tour lists 3 victories for Fitzpatrick this year, including the Valspar Championship, RBC Heritage, and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with his younger brother, Alex.
Fitzpatrick entered the BMW PGA Championship after finishing the PGA Tour season with a T21 finish at the TOUR Championship. His 2026 results also include runner-up finishes at The Players Championship and the RBC Canadian Open, along with a 4th-place showing at the Travelers Championship.
The Zurich victory was especially notable because the brothers had played the event together 3 previous times. Alex’s win also earned him PGA Tour membership through the 2028 season, adding another major milestone to the Fitzpatrick family’s year.
Fun fact: Matt Fitzpatrick and Alex set a Zurich Classic tournament record in 2026 by shooting 15-under 57 in the third round. Their 31-under total gave the brothers a 1-stroke victory and marked Alex’s first PGA Tour title.
The DP World Tour’s final stretch remains unresolved
For Fitzpatrick, the uncertainty affects more than a single tournament. The two Middle East events are the final stages of the DP World Tour’s 2026 season, making their status important to players who have qualified through the season-long standings.
Fitzpatrick has said he is scheduled to play the Open de France and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship before the postseason events. Beyond those tournaments, he said his schedule remains uncertain because the final decision about the playoffs could affect his plans.
The DP World Tour has not announced any relocation of the two UAE events in the available reporting as of yet. The 2026 schedule still lists the playoffs for November, while the tour continues to evaluate conditions and take appropriate advice.
That leaves Fitzpatrick balancing a familiar professional opportunity against circumstances he now views differently. His comments also show how quickly a player’s priorities can shift when competitive commitments intersect with family responsibilities and international events.
TL;DR
- Matt Fitzpatrick said he is currently uncomfortable traveling to the UAE for the DP World Tour playoffs.
- The arrival of his first child in August has changed his perspective on leaving his family for overseas events.
- Regional instability and uncertainty over the playoff locations are central to his concerns.
- Fitzpatrick is the defending DP World Tour Championship winner and a 3-time champion of the event.
- The DP World Tour still lists Abu Dhabi and Dubai as its November playoff venues as of Sept. 20, 2026.
If you liked this story, don’t forget to follow us for more exclusive content.
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
If you liked this, you might also like:
