Matthew Fitzpatrick hits out at "frustrating" decision: "I wouldn't be that comfortable"

England's Matthew Fitzpatrick says it is "frustrating" a decision hasn't been made yet over whether the DP World Tour's play-offs will go ahead in the Middle East.

The DP World Tour is once again set to bring the curtain down on its campaign with two play-off events for Europe's top golfers. 

The Abu Dhabi Championship is scheduled for 5-8 November, followed a week later by the $10m DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. 

However, concerns remain over staging sporting events in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.

Formula One bosses are also waiting before to decide whether the 2026 season can conclude in the region, with Italy on standby. 

"Being completely honest as things stand right now, I would say I'm not that comfortable," Fitzpatrick told reporters before the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth when asked if he was comfortable going back to that part of the world later in the year. 

"No, I wouldn't be that comfortable. A few things have obviously changed for me, perspective and stuff. 

"I've had a child in August, and that obviously kind of changes things, I guess, a bit more."

Fitzpatrick said watching the news can be "very one-sided, particularly in the U.S". 

He added: "But I think for me, as things right now, it would feel a little bit weird, given what I'm reading elsewhere. 

"Things can change overnight, I'm sure. I think it seems to be going down that path of things are getting better. 

"I've sort of looked on the U.K. website, I know they he changed from essential travel only to one step better than that.

"Obviously I know the Tour has been on this for a long time. 

"It's obviously frustrating that the decision hasn't been made so you can plan what's going on. 

"But I understand there's obviously a lot of moving parts to that, and it's obviously difficult to make these decisions."

Fitzpatrick said that if the Tour does end up going to the Middle East then the circuit would've had the best advice possible.

"As things stand right now, I wouldn't necessarily be too keen on going," he said. 

"I know there's been discussions on what Formula 1 is doing. 

"I don't know the rumours that side but I've heard they might not be going there, so begs the question, would we, I guess."

Former Open champion Shane Lowry told reporters in his news conference on Wednesday that he wasn't thinking about whether to go until he won the Amgen Irish Open. 

"As of last week, I wasn't in them," he joked.

In a more serious tone, he added: "I was planning on taking a decent break this winter, so I'm not sure I'm planning on going anyway. 

"I don't know. Just have to wait and see what they will do. The Tour will make a decision pretty soon. We'll see.

"They are huge decisions for everyone. You know, for obviously the Tour, for Dubai itself, for Abu Dhabi, and I'm not going to sit here and comment on the whole thing because I think it's up to the powers above to kind of sort that all out. 

"I think if the tournaments are on, the players are going to go. And if they are not, they will find an alternative.

"Fortunately enough, I'm in a position that if they are not on in November or January, I've got options."