Matt Fitzpatrick: DP World Tour Championship defending champion not comfortable with Dubai location

Matt Fitzpatrick won his third DP World Tour Championship in November 2025

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.

"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.

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.

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.

"I think it's annoying, but at the same time, Guy Kinnings can't control what Iran are doing," Fitzpatrick added.

"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."

"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."

"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."

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