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McIlroy, Rahm Head To Abu Dhabi Despite Security Concerns
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- McIlroy, Rahm Head To Abu Dhabi Despite Security Concerns
The DP World Tour is moving forward with one of its biggest tournaments of the season, but Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and the rest of the field will have more than golf on their minds when competition begins Thursday in Abu Dhabi.
The 2026 Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship opens Nov. 5 at Yas Links in the United Arab Emirates, despite ongoing Middle East tensions and a U.S. government travel advisory urging Americans to reconsider visiting the country.
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The tournament features a 70-player field and marks the beginning of the DP World Tour's two-event postseason finale.
But the security situation has created an unusual atmosphere.
The U.S. State Department currently classifies the UAE under a Level 3 travel advisory, citing terrorism and armed conflict. Its Oct. 23 update warned about potential attacks involving civilian infrastructure and continuing regional hostilities.
Tournament officials aren't ignoring those concerns.
Players and caddies have received instructions explaining that an official emergency alert on mobile phones will trigger an immediate suspension of competition.
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Air horns would signal the stoppage, with competitors directed to leave the course and report to the clubhouse.
Despite those precautions, some of golf's biggest names are ready to compete.
McIlroy, Rahm, Patrick Reed, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Adam Scott headline a field that also includes defending champion Aaron Rai.
Eugenio Chacarra enters atop the Race to Dubai standings, followed by Reed and McIlroy. The Northern Irishman is chasing his fifth consecutive season-long title and a record-tying eighth overall.
Rahm, meanwhile, will make his first competitive appearance at Yas Links.
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Not everyone is comfortable with the situation.
Eleven eligible players are skipping the tournament, including Matt Fitzpatrick, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose and reigning Open champion Ryan Fox.
Fitzpatrick previously voiced concerns about traveling to the region, telling reporters in September, "I'm not that comfortable."
The Englishman, who became a father in August, acknowledged that his personal priorities had changed.
McIlroy offered a different perspective when discussing the tournament in September.
"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," he said.
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The competitive stakes remain considerable.
The Abu Dhabi tournament runs through Sunday, November 8, before the season concludes with the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai on Nov. 12-15.
For McIlroy, Rahm and the other contenders, the next two weeks could determine championships, rankings and significant prize money.
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For tournament organizers, however, the most important result may be completing both events without a security emergency.
Golf will be the attraction in Abu Dhabi. Whether it can remain the only story is another question.
