Rory McIlroy makes surprising claim about UAE ‘defense systems’ amid safety worries at Abu Dhabi Championship
Rory McIlroy has talked about the UAE’s “great defence systems” when responding to calls for him to skip the DP World Tour finale in Abu Dhabi. The 37-year-old isn’t joining the list of players missing the Abu Dhabi Aidar Golf Championship, which includes world No. 3 Matt Fitzpatrick.
Rory is going for his first-ever win in Abu Dhabi after finishing second four times before. He said the “reward is worth the risk” when discussing safety concerns in the UAE.
While many other players, like Fitzpatrick who said he feels uneasy playing there, have chosen to stay away, McIlroy has tried to calm fears about safety in the UAE. He’s chasing a record-tying eighth Race to Dubai title and fifth in a row, and believes the chance to win is worth any risk.
Eleven of the top 70 players in the Race to Dubai have decided not to play in Abu Dhabi because of conflicts near the UAE. Earlier this year, a militant attack at Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid International Airport caused deaths and injuries. The war in Yemen, involving Saudi Arabia and Iran, has caused ongoing problems in the region, with the UAE also feeling the effects.
Players and caddies have been given safety instructions before the Abu Dhabi and Dubai events. If anything happens, the UAE authorities will warn everyone with mobile alerts and air horns, and pause the game.
McIlroy, who used to live in the UAE, said, “Even if something were to happen, I still wouldn’t feel unsafe. The UAE has great defence systems.”
He added, “I don’t think I would ever feel unsafe,” and mentioned that the only worry might be if the air space was closed, trapping people there.
In October, the Six Kings Slam tennis event in Riyadh was postponed after players were also asked to consider their safety.
McIlroy said he asked many questions and knows the DP World Tour talks regularly with local officials. “If everyone agrees it’s safe, who am I to say otherwise?”
“This means a lot to me. I want to play well and finish the year strong. I want a chance to win another Race to Dubai,” said McIlroy, ranked eighth among SPORTbible’s greatest golfers.
He finished by saying, “I don’t feel there’s any risk here, but even if there was, I think the reward is worth it.”