Asian Tour Postpones PIF Saudi International as DP World Tour Keeps UAE Playoffs On Course

Middle East unrest has forced golf's calendar into a split decision. The Asian Tour announced Thursday that its season-ending PIF Saudi International — set for November 18-21 at Riyadh Golf Club with a $5 million purse — will not go ahead as planned, postponing the event after an assessment found organizational and logistical challenges made it impossible to stage. No make-up date was given.

The move follows a series of attacks in Saudi Arabia in early October, including a strike on King Khalid International Airport on October 11, a day after an attack there killed at least 13 people. The airport sits roughly 30 minutes from Riyadh Golf Club. The postponement also ends an awkward chapter for the event, which served as the season finale of LIV Golf's former feeder tour until the Asian Tour cut ties with LIV after the Saudi fund withdrew its support.

While the Saudi event is shelved, the DP World Tour is holding its nerve. A spokesperson told Golfweek that November's two season-ending playoffs — the Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links (November 5-8) and the $10 million DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai — will proceed as scheduled, with player reactions split: defending Dubai champion Matt Fitzpatrick has voiced unease about traveling, while Rory McIlroy said he has no issue with the trip.