There is millions in prize money up for grabs across the two events

Shane Lowry, Matt Fitzpatrick and Ryan Fox are amongst the high-profile names who will sit out the DP World Tour's playoffs due to safety worries in the Middle East.

The European tour's two-tournament playoff sequence kicks off with the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship on November 5, with the DP World Tour Championship taking place in Dubai a week afterwards.

The United Arab Emirates became caught up in the United States and Israel's confrontation with Iran earlier this year, with Tehran launching drone and missile attacks on critical infrastructure across the region.

Tensions have eased in recent months, but numerous golfers have voiced apprehension about journeying to the area.

Nevertheless, Rory McIlroy harbours no such misgivings and will participate alongside fellow Race to Dubai challengers Eugenio Chacarra and Patrick Reed, as well as Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton and Adam Scott.

McIlroy stated last month: "Not for me. If the local governments feel like it's safe to put on these events, they are not going to put their citizens or people visiting in harm's way, I imagine. I love the Middle East. I have a lot of friends there, and I'm looking forward to going back for sure."

The 70-strong entry roster for the playoff curtain-raiser was announced yesterday, with several eligible players choosing not to make the trip.

Open Champion Fox sits sixth in the Race to Dubai standings and possessed an outside opportunity of claiming the season-long crown, but the New Zealander will be absent.

Fitzpatrick sits 10th in the standings, but he has recently become a father and voiced reservations last month about competing in the area. His brother, Alex, has likewise declined the chance to take part.

Lowry, Min Woo Lee, Ludvig Aberg, Bob MacIntyre, Si Woo Kim, Justin Rose and Ryan Gerard had also secured top-70 positions but will not participate in the playoffs.

It remains uncertain whether safety concerns or scheduling matters have prompted players to pull out.

Former world No.1 Rose, 46, stated he planned to have a low-key conclusion to the year to guarantee he was ready for 2027.

World No.3 Fitzpatrick acknowledged at the BMW PGA Championship last month that he harboured concerns due to the unstable security climate.

"Being completely honest as things stand right now, I would say I'm not that comfortable," he said at the time. "No, I wouldn't be that comfortable.

"A few things have obviously changed for me, perspective and stuff. I've had a child in August, and that obviously kind of changes things, I guess, a bit more.

"Right now, it would feel a little bit weird, given what I'm reading elsewhere. Things can change overnight, I'm sure. I think it seems to be going down that path of things getting better.

"I think if the Tour does go, I'm sure they have had the best advice possible on what that looks like. As things stand right now, I wouldn't necessarily be too keen on going."