Abu Dhabi Playoff Heads to Yas Links Under Emergency Protocol Amid Security Fears

The DP World Tour returns to Abu Dhabi this week with one of its strongest fields of the season — and under an emergency protocol that underlines the security concerns surrounding the event. Tournament officials have established that any official alert received on mobile phones will trigger the immediate suspension of play and evacuation of the course at Yas Links, host of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, the second-to-last tournament of the season and the first of two consecutive events scheduled for the UAE. The backdrop is a US Department of State advisory, issued on October 23, that continues to list the United Arab Emirates, including Abu Dhabi, at Level 3: Reconsider Travel, citing the risks of terrorism and armed conflict and warning that Iranian-supported Houthi hostilities in the region have included attacks on civilian airports and other infrastructure. Despite that, the tournament has attracted a loaded field. Defending champion Aaron Rai is joined by Race to Dubai leader Eugenio Chacarra, Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed, Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton, with Chacarra, Reed, McIlroy, Casey Jarvis and Rai, the top five in the Race to Dubai, all scheduled to compete. Fleetwood will chase a third Abu Dhabi title after winning back-to-back in 2017 and 2018, while Jon Rahm makes his Yas Links debut and Adam Scott also features. With 1,500 points on offer to the winner, the leading four players all retain a mathematical chance of leading the Race to Dubai going into the season finale. Several qualified players, including Robert MacIntyre, Shane Lowry and Justin Rose, have opted against the trip, but for those teeing it up on Thursday, the golf will be played with one eye on the phone.