Abu Dhabi Championship draws up emergency plan as security fears mount in Middle East

DP World Tour has drawn up an emergency plan to suspend play and evacuate players as it presses ahead with this week's Abu Dhabi Championship amid heightened security concerns in the Middle East.

Golfweek reported Tuesday (Korean Standard Time) that tournament officials have established emergency procedures requiring play to stop immediately and all players to evacuate the course if UAE authorities issue an official phone alert. The event runs from Thursday to Sunday at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The field features a host of world-class players, including Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), Jon Rahm (Spain), Adam Scott (Australia), Patrick Reed (United States), Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton (both England).

A "phone alert and emergency procedures" notice distributed to players spells out the protocol in detail. If UAE authorities issue a phone alert while players are on the grounds, play will stop immediately, signaled by a long air horn blast. Players and caddies must then leave the course and proceed to the clubhouse according to a designated evacuation plan.

Tour staff will brief players at the clubhouse on the situation and next steps, with further information relayed through a players-only portal. Anyone who receives an alert while off the premises is instructed to follow the directions of local authorities contained in that alert. The measures are designed to eliminate confusion by setting clear response standards both inside and outside the venue.

The emergency plan reflects concerns over armed conflict in the region and potential attacks on critical infrastructure. The US Department of State classified the UAE as a Level 3 "Reconsider Travel" destination in a travel advisory issued Oct. 23, citing terrorism and armed conflict. It also warned that Iran-backed Houthi attacks on civilian infrastructure — including airports in Saudi Arabia — could expand into surrounding areas.

Anxiety among players has persisted. According to Golfweek, Matt Fitzpatrick (England) said in September he did not feel comfortable traveling to the Middle East, adding that becoming a father in August had made him more cautious about decisions affecting his family. He also expressed frustration at the difficulty of planning his schedule given the lack of clarity over whether the final two events would go ahead.

The Golf Channel reported that 11 eligible players have withdrawn from the tournament. In addition to Fitzpatrick and Ryan Fox (New Zealand), the absentees include Kim Si-woo, Shane Lowry (Ireland), Justin Rose (England) and Robert MacIntyre (Scotland). However, not all withdrawals are security-related — some players cited personal scheduling reasons.

DP World Tour had earlier told Golfweek that it would proceed with both UAE playoff events as scheduled, saying it was acting on advice from international travel consultants and continuing to monitor the situation. The emergency plan is not a cancellation but a safety measure to prepare for unexpected developments while the tour maintains its commitment to holding the event.