DP World Tour considers European back-up venues amid UAE Playoffs uncertainty

The DP World Tour is exploring contingency options in Spain and Portugal for its season-ending Playoffs, despite insisting that its November events in the United Arab Emirates remain firmly on course to go ahead.

Daily Mail Sport understands that Real Club de Golf Sotogrande in southern Spain has been discussed internally as a potential alternative venue, with several clubs in Portugal also believed to have been considered should the situation in the Middle East deteriorate.

The potential contingency plans come despite DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings insisting over the weekend that the circuit intends to stage its final two tournaments in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Speaking to Sky Sports Golf at the BMW PGA Championship, Kinnings said preparations were already well underway for the Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links and the Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

"A lot of people are asking and it's an obvious question," Kinnings said. 

"The reality is we expect every intention to be playing in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

"Work has started and we're building stuff at Yas Links and at the Jumeirah Golf Estates, so our intention is to go ahead.

"We clearly need to keep in touch with travel advisors and other people who help with us, but our plan is definitely to play the Playoffs in the UAE."

Those comments underline the DP World Tour's current position, with no decision having been made to relocate either tournament.

However, Daily Mail Sport's reporting suggests the Tour is also preparing for the possibility that circumstances could change before November, with Sotogrande and venues in Portugal among the alternatives discussed.

Sotogrande would be a familiar destination for the circuit. 

The Cadiz club has previously hosted the Andalucia Masters and has experience of staging DP World Tour competition.

The Abu Dhabi Championship is scheduled for the week before the season-ending Tour Championship in Dubai, meaning both events could be affected if the security situation makes travel to the UAE impractical.

Player safety has already become a talking point among the Tour's leading names.

Matt Fitzpatrick, who won last year's Tour Championship in Dubai, admitted at Wentworth that he would currently have reservations about travelling to the region.

"As things stand right now, I would say I'm not that comfortable," Fitzpatrick told reporters at the BMW PGA.

The Englishman recalled being at a hotel which was subsequently hit by a missile, explaining that he had been having dinner there during the week of his Tour Championship victory.

"That's obviously very scary when you think about how it was a few months away but how close you were to that particular spot," he added.

Fitzpatrick also stressed that the situation could change significantly before the Playoffs and acknowledged that the DP World Tour would be taking expert advice before deciding whether the events could safely proceed.

Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, offered a more positive assessment of the prospect of returning to the Middle East.

"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, I imagine," McIlroy said.

"I love the Middle East. I have a lot of friends there, and I'm looking forward to going back for sure."

The final events will carry significant importance in the Race to Dubai, with McIlroy chasing a fifth consecutive title.

The Northern Irishman closed the gap on leader Patrick Reed to around 300 points at Wentworth and is planning to play in India before heading to the Middle East for the closing tournaments.

McIlroy is also chasing an eighth European Tour Order of Merit title, which would see him equal Colin Montgomerie's record.

Reed is seeking his first Race to Dubai crown, although his BMW PGA ended prematurely when he withdrew during the second round because of injury.

McIlroy finished joint runner-up at Wentworth, two shots behind J.J. Spaun.

For now, there is no indication that the DP World Tour has abandoned its plans for the UAE.

Kinnings' comments make clear that the circuit is actively preparing for tournaments at Yas Links and Jumeirah Golf Estates, while the contingency discussions reported by Daily Mail Sport demonstrate that officials are also considering what could happen if circumstances change.

The expectation remains that the Playoffs will take place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in November, with Spain and Portugal providing potential alternatives should the Tour ultimately be forced to reconsider.