The atmosphere is thick with tension in Abu Dhabi, and it's not just the desert climate: eleven top stars have abruptly withdrawn from the start of the DP World Tour Playoffs. While the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship kicks off this Thursday, November 5, 2026, with 70 players competing for 1,500 Race to Dubai points and six million dollars in prize money, the unusually high number of absences casts a dark shadow over the final. Talk of heightened security concerns in the Middle East is circulating – turning these playoffs into a real thriller even before they begin.
Matt Fitzpatrick, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Robert MacIntyre, Ludvig Åberg, and Ryan Fox – the list of names skipping the tee-off reads like a who's who of European golf. Last year, only four players were absent; the sharp increase to eleven indicates that more than just scheduling conflicts are at play here. While some players cite personal reasons, the current security situation in the region appears to be prompting many to stay home instead. This dramatically changes the season's dynamic.
Who's Playing for the Highest Stakes?
For caliber players like Fitzpatrick and Lowry, who are already securely within the top 50 in the Race to Dubai and thus qualified for the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, the decision might be easier. But for others, everything is on the line: Robert MacIntyre (56th), Si Woo Kim and Justin Rose (both 62nd), and Ryan Gerard (70th) are currently outside the top 50. Without a strong performance in Abu Dhabi, the season finale is an unreachable goal for them. Gerard is even prioritizing the PGA Tour in Mexico instead.
Despite the absences, the biggest names are teeing off: Jon Rahm is making his Abu Dhabi debut, and Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed, and Tommy Fleetwood are also eager for victory. Eugenio Chacarra, Reed, and McIlroy currently lead the Race to Dubai, but the 1,500 points for the champion could still completely turn the tables. This is shaping up to be a season finale where not only athletic form but also personal decisions and nerves will play a role. The grand finale is yet to come.
