Title-chasing McIlroy says there's no risk playing in Abu Dhabi amid tensions in Middle East

Rory McIlroy has played down safety concerns about competing at the Abu Dhabi Championship this week, amid tensions in the Middle East that have impacted the sports calendar in the region.It is the first of lucrative, back-to-back season-ending events in the United Arab Emirates over the next two weeks that will determine who wins the year-long Race to Dubai title, which crowns the No. 1 player on the European tour.McIlroy is third in the standings, behind Eugenio Chacarra and Patrick Reed, as he chases a record-tying eighth season-long title.The tour decided to stick to the upcoming schedule of Abu Dhabi and Dubai amid increased security concerns in the Middle East because of the Israel-Iran war. Last month saw deadly attacks on Saudi Arabia, which shares a border with the UAE.“I don’t think I would ever feel unsafe,” McIlroy, one of golf's most high-profile players, said Wednesday — a day before the Abu Dhabi Championship begins. "You know, even if something were to happen, like I st