Rory McIlroy makes wild UAE 'defence systems' claim amid ‘even if something happens' concerns at Abu Dhabi Championship

Rory McIlroy has invoked the UAE’s “great defence systems” in response to urges for the Irishman to skip the DP World Tour finale in Abu Dhabi.

The 37-year-old has refused to join the list of absent players at the Abu Dhabi Aidar Golf Championship, which includes world No. 3 Matt Fitzpatrick.

The Irishman, chasing his first-ever Abu Dhabi victory after four previous runner-up finishes, also claimed ‘the reward is worth the risk’ while discussing safety concerns in the UAE.

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Rory McIlroy praises UAE’s “great defence systems” and claims he would still feel safe “even if something were to happen” in Abu Dhabi

Unlike many of the Irishman’s peers — Fitzpatrick admitted he would feel uncomfortable playing in Abu Dhabi — McIlroy has attempted to allay concerns for his physical safety in the UAE.

For the 37-year-old, who is chasing a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title, and fifth successive, ‘the reward outweighs the risk… even if something were to happen.’

Eleven of the world’s top-70 players in the Race - all of whom are eligible to play in Abu Dhabi - have chosen to miss the DP World Tour finale, amid conflicts in and around the UAE.

In October, Saudi Arabia experienced 14 deaths, with 300 others enduring injury, after militants struck King Khalid International Airport. The attack claimed its 14th victim this Wednesday morning - the latest loss of life in Yemen’s ongoing civil war.

The conflict is between the country’s government, backed by Saudi Arabia, and the Houthis, backed by Iran. The 12-year-long war has plunged Yemen into one of the world’s darkest humanitarian crises; the UAE has persistently experienced spillover effects from this conflict, and also ones in Sudan and Iran.

Players and caddies have been issued safety briefings ahead of the Abu Dhabi and Dubai events. Should issues arise, the UAE authorities will trigger a mobile phone alert, sound an air horn, then halt play.

McIlroy, a former UAE resident, claimed: “Even if something were to happen, I still wouldn’t feel unsafe. The UAE has great defence systems."

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Rory McIlroy claims ‘reward outweighs risk’ in hunt for record-breaking Race to Dubai title

“I don’t think I would ever feel unsafe,” continued the 37-year-old, whose presence at the DP World India Championship was also challenged by PGA Tour member Kevin Kisner.

"The only thing would be if they closed the air space, and you were stuck here for a period of time,” claimed the Irishman.

In October, the Six Kings Slam — a tennis exhibition event in Riyadh — was postponed, amid similar pleas for the athletes, which included Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, to prioritise their safety.

McIlroy continued: “I kept asking questions, and, obviously, the DP World Tour are talking to the local authorities all the time. If everyone deems that it's safe to be here, then who am I to say otherwise.

“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,” claimed the Irishman, ranked eighth in SPORTbible’s top-10 greatest-ever golfers list.

“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,” concluded McIlroy.

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