Rory McIlroy makes bold safety claim amid Abu Dhabi Championship evacuation warnings

Rory McIlroy has insisted he feels no safety concerns about competing at the Abu Dhabi Championship, despite emergency evacuation instructions being issued to players and caddies amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.

The Northern Irishman, 37, spoke to reporters at Yas Links on Wednesday ahead of the opening round of the DP World Tour's penultimate event of the 2026 season.

His comments come after precautionary evacuation notices appeared around the golf course, outlining exactly what players and caddies must do should an emergency alert be triggered during tournament play.

The instructions state that play would be suspended immediately following an emergency mobile phone alert issued by UAE authorities, with a prolonged blast of the air horns used to signal a dangerous situation.

Players and caddies would then be required to follow evacuation procedures and make their way to the clubhouse, where further information would be provided by Tour staff.

The notices come against the backdrop of escalating tensions across the Middle East, with several prominent golfers reportedly expressing concerns about travelling to the region.

Ryder Cup hero Bob MacIntyre is among those who have opted against competing in Abu Dhabi, while Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick have also reportedly harboured reservations about travelling to the UAE.

However, McIlroy has made it clear that he has no such concerns.

"I don't think I would ever feel unsafe," McIlroy told reporters on Wednesday.

"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 also revealed that he had remained in close contact with the DP World Tour regarding the security situation, insisting he was comfortable with the decision to proceed with the tournament.

"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."

Watch McIlroy's comments here:

McIlroy chasing Race to Dubai history

While safety concerns have dominated the build-up to the Abu Dhabi Championship, McIlroy also has a significant golfing objective in his sights over the next fortnight.

The reigning Masters champion is chasing a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title, which would see him match Colin Montgomerie's remarkable achievement.

McIlroy currently sits third in the season-long standings behind Eugenio Chacarra and Patrick Reed, meaning he faces an uphill battle heading into the two lucrative playoff events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The Abu Dhabi Championship offers 1,500 points to the winner, while next week's DP World Tour Championship in Dubai carries an even greater reward, with 2,000 points available.

McIlroy will need a strong finish to the season, but the opportunity to make history is clearly a major motivation.

He will also be paired alongside Reed and Chacarra for the opening two rounds at Yas Links.

McIlroy has enjoyed plenty of memorable battles with Reed over the years, while Chacarra represents a new challenge for the seven-time Race to Dubai winner.

The Northern Irishman also offered praise for both players, who previously competed on LIV Golf before returning to the DP World Tour.

"You look at Eugenio and Patrick as former LIV players but coming back and going through the process of trying to build their way back through the game and through this Tour," McIlroy said.

"Ultimately both of them are going to get a PGA Tour card again next year.

"I have a lot of respect for them with the way that they have done it."

McIlroy makes explosive LIV Golf claim

McIlroy was also asked about the ongoing uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf, with the breakaway league's future now likely at an end. 

The six-time major champion strongly backed DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings, who recently claimed LIV Golf had spent more than $7 billion with one of its primary objectives being to destroy the European Tour.

McIlroy went a step further, alleging that LIV Golf officials had openly discussed their intentions at Augusta National during this year's Masters.

"Yeah, I do agree. Yeah, I do. I agree with everything that Guy said," McIlroy stated.

"They took players; they took sponsors; they turned professional golf into an arms race.

"They were going around Augusta saying they wanted to destroy the European Tour. Yeah, I agree with everything.

"I think people that don't agree are probably very shortsighted."

McIlroy also questioned the sustainability of LIV Golf's financial model, suggesting the enormous investment was always likely to become problematic without a meaningful return.

The Ulsterman's comments arrive amid mounting uncertainty surrounding LIV Golf, with just about every big-name player, including Bryson DeChambeau, now having confirmed their departure from the breakaway league. 

For McIlroy, however, the immediate priority remains firmly on the DP World Tour.

With a potential eighth Race to Dubai crown within reach, the Northern Irishman is determined to finish his season strongly — and he insists the security situation in Abu Dhabi will not stand in his way.