Despite rising tensions between the United States and Iran, American golfers remain committed to the European Tour’s “Desert Swing” through the Middle East.
The United States issued a security alert last week to all Americans living in Iran to leave the country following the death of Qassem Soleimani, head of Iran’s elite Quds military force, after he was killed Thursday in an airstrike in Baghdad. Additionally, the U.S. state department advised caution when traveling to Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates—site of the Euro Tour’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Omega Dubai Desert Classic and the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisors, all held in January—and encouraged citizens to “maintain a high level of vigilance” due to the conflict in the area.
However, this has not deterred the likes of Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Cantlay, Patrick Reed, Bryson DeChambeau, Tony Finau and Phil Mickelson. The European Tour confirmed to Golf Digest on Tuesday morning that none of the American entrants have withdrawn or announced their intentions to do so.
Koepka, who missed the Presidents Cup due to lingering knee issues, confirmed on Monday that he make his first start since pulling out of the CJ Cup with injury in October at next week’s Abu Dhabi Championship. The World No. 1 is also scheduled to compete in the Saudi International. Johnson (the event’s defending champ) and Reed are also returning to the Saudi, while Mickelson is making his tournament debut. DeChambeau will make appearances in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The Euro Tour added that it is closely watching the Iran situation, and is taking the necessary steps to ensure protection to players and their families.
“The safety of our players, staff and stakeholders and everyone involved in each and every one of our tournaments around the world is our top priority,” the tour told Golf Digest. “The European Tour constantly monitors what is happening in all of our host countries, taking any safety advice from the relevant agencies where appropriate, and we will continue to do so for all of our tournaments around the world.”