DP World Tour season finale rocked by notable Ryder Cup absentees in Dubai

European Ryder Cup heroes Matt Fitzpatrick and Shane Lowry are among the biggest names missing from this week's DP World Tour Championship after deciding against travelling to the Middle East.

Both players qualified for the season-ending tournament at Jumeirah Golf Estates but have opted not to make the trip to Dubai.

They are joined by Matt's younger brother Alex Fitzpatrick and Australian Min Woo Lee, who have also decided against travelling to the Middle East. 

Lowry finished 20th in the Race to Dubai rankings, while Lee secured his place in 48th. Both players also bypassed last week's Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, the opening leg of the DP World Tour Playoffs.

Matt Fitzpatrick was 14th in the standings before Abu Dhabi, with Alex Fitzpatrick sitting 35th. 

Concerns about travelling to the Middle East in November had already been raised by Matt Fitzpatrick during September's BMW PGA at Wentworth. 

European Ryder Cup hero Ludvig Åberg is also another big name who will miss out on the season finale in Dubai. 

The Swede slipped to 53rd in the Race to Dubai rankings, meaning he would have been in line to benefit from the four withdrawals and secure a place in Dubai. 

However, Åberg, who also bypassed the Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links, has once again declined the opportunity to compete. 

The withdrawals have allowed Ewen Ferguson, Matt Wallace, Victor Perez and Joost Luiten to move into the 50-man field instead.

Matt Fitzpatrick's absence will be particularly notable given his outstanding record at the tournament. 

The former US Open champion has won the DP World Tour Championship three times, sharing the record with Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm.

He has also enjoyed an excellent 2026 campaign, recording four victories around the world, while Alex has claimed two wins of his own.

Bob MacIntyre is another notable name missing from the DP World Tour Championship, although the Scot's circumstances are different.

MacIntyre was 56th in the Race to Dubai standings before the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, leaving him outside the top 50 and needing a strong result at Yas Links to qualify for the season finale.

However, his management team confirmed to GolfMagic last week that he would not travel to the Middle East also due to travel concerns.

By missing Abu Dhabi, MacIntyre also lost his final opportunity to climb into the qualifying positions and book his place in Dubai.

Justin Rose also decided to miss out on the first leg of the DP World Tour Playoffs in Abu Dhabi, which ruled him out of the DP World Tour Championship too. 

Rory McIlroy explains why he feels safe in the UAE

The notable absences come amid attention on the security situation in the Middle East, with precautionary evacuation notices appearing around Yas Links during the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship.

The notices outlined the procedures players and caddies would need to follow in an emergency. 

Play would be suspended immediately following an emergency mobile phone alert from UAE authorities, while a prolonged air horn blast would signal danger.

Players and caddies would then follow evacuation procedures and make their way to the clubhouse.

However, Rory McIlroy has insisted he has no concerns about competing in the region at the moment. 

The Northern Irishman finished third in Abu Dhabi, moving from third to second in the Race to Dubai standings and keeping himself firmly in contention for another season-long title.

Speaking to reporters at Yas Links, McIlroy said: "I don't think I would ever feel unsafe.

"You know, even if something were to happen, like I still wouldn't feel unsafe.

"The UAE has great defence systems. Yeah, I think the only thing would be that if they closed the airspace and you were stuck here for a period of time, like people were at the start of year, but like I would still feel safe. I wouldn't feel like I would be in any danger."

McIlroy acknowledged that a potential airspace closure would be his main concern, but stressed that he was comfortable with the decision to compete.

"If everyone deems that it's safe to be here, then who am I to say otherwise?" he added.

"This is important to me. I want to play well. I want to end my year well. I wanted to have a chance to win another Race to Dubai.

"I don't feel like there's any risk coming here, but if I did feel like there was a risk, I feel like the reward is worth it."

Jon Rahm storms into Race to Dubai contention

While the likes of Fitzpatrick and Lowry will be absent, Rahm has given himself a major opportunity to finish the season on a high.

The Spaniard claimed a two-shot victory at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, securing a record-breaking sixth Rolex Series title and his 11th DP World Tour victory.

It was also his first win on the DP World Tour since slipping on the famous Green Jacket at the 2023 Masters. 

Rahm's latest win also transformed his Race to Dubai hopes, and gatecrashing McIlroy's record party in the process. 

The former World No.1 climbed from 51st to sixth in the standings after collecting 1,500 points, putting himself in contention ahead of the final tournament.

Rahm admitted he had not expected to have a realistic chance of challenging for the season-long title.

"I didn't even think I'd have a chance to win it," he laughed.

"Yeah, I am very excited. It gives me a little extra incentive, I really didn't think I had a chance. I look forward to it."

Eugenio Chacarra remains in pole position in the Race to Dubai, despite finishing tied 22nd in Abu Dhabi. 

The Spaniard, who has won three times on the DP World Tour this season, leads McIlroy by more than 500 points heading into the season finale.

Patrick Reed, Casey Jarvis and Aaron Rai sit third, fourth and fifth respectively. 

All three will need a strong week in Dubai, as well as favourable results elsewhere, to have a chance of taking the Race to Dubai crown.

Scroll down for the full 50-man field at the 2026 DP World Tour Championship...

Full DP World Tour Championship field

Race to Dubai standings ahead of the DP World Tour Championship

View the full Race to Dubai standings.