No one can predict the outbreak of a conflict like that of Israel, the United States, and Iran. Even less so that it involves other countries at breakneck speed like United Arab Emirates, Qatar, or Bahrain. Adri Arnaus, who has been living in Dubai for years, is unsure whether he has been lucky or the opposite, as the outbreak of hostilities caught him on holiday in Armenia, taking advantage of the break in his schedule, straddling the DP World Tour and the HotelPlanner Tour. From here, he finds himself at a complicated crossroads.
Firstly, he cannot return home, something he had planned for today, because Dubai’s airspace is closed. Secondly, there is concern at the sight of images of missiles falling in areas absolutely recognisable to him. The news so far is that all his friends are fine, but the unease is inevitable. “It’s strange to leave home and look at the sky,” Arnaus commented to Ten Golf after exchanging messages with his closest friends in the Emirates.
Thirdly, he is waiting for an invitation to play the Joburg Open. He has requested it and is still waiting for a response. The DP World Tour tournament starts on Thursday and takes place in Johannesburg. He could travel from Armenia directly to South Africa, but he has another added problem. His clubs, as is normal, are at his home. In Dubai. He cannot go to collect them, nor can they be sent to him. Given the circumstances, his decision has been to travel to London early tomorrow morning to try and have Callaway, his brand, prepare an emergency new set for him.
Once there and with the clubs, he will make the next decision. If the invitation arrives, he will travel to South Africa, and if not, he will go to Spain to train and spend a few days there, at least until the situation in the Persian Gulf calms down. All this, of course, after a significant hassle of changing flights and decisions that need to be made.
Golf is a global sport and, as such, is being affected in recent hours, especially due to travel issues. According to Ten Golf, there are golfers who, as of today, Monday, have not been able to reach Hong Kong, where the third event of the LIV Golf season is taking place this week. Initially, it is expected that there will be no problems starting on Thursday, as there is room for manoeuvre, but the situation will need to be monitored. None of the Spanish golfers have had problems arriving, as well as the four members of Torque. On the other hand, Carlota Ciganda, who has travelled back to Spain from Singapore, where she played last week, is already in Navarre. She has not had problems because she travelled via Paris. Logically, the main issues are at the airports of Dubai and Doha, usual stopovers for flights connecting Europe with Asia.
There are also problems for the return of players and caddies from South Africa next Sunday. We are now referring to those working on the DP World Tour. Most, especially the Spanish, have their return via Doha or Dubai. Right now, we reiterate, it is not possible to fly that route, but the flight via London, the other alternative, has skyrocketed in price. Many will opt to wait for the airports in Doha and Dubai to resume activity, but we will see what happens.
Maximum uncertainty in golf, as in all areas of life.
