Rory confirms absence from Turkish Open
due to "security fears"
Rory McIlroy has confirmed he has withdrawn from the European Tour's Turkish Airlines Open, starting on Thursday, because of security fears.
The
European Tour were hoping to have both Tiger
Woods and Rory McIlroy in its field, as well as American Patrick
Reed. Now they have none of them.
McIlroy announced he would not play because of heightened security concerns in Turkey, the BBC reported. Reed, who intended to play the event, was on the entry list as late as Saturday, but was not on it on Sunday, though no other details are available.
David Lipsky is the only American in the field.
David Lipsky is the only American in the field.
“It
was weighing on my mind and I have slept a lot better knowing that I’d made a
decision," said McIlroy, who tied for fourth in the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai today.
“I gave it a lot of thought, basically all week. The fact
that I have won the FedEx Cup this year and that I have won the Race to
Dubai before made the decision a little bit easier.”
The U.S. Department of State on Saturday issued an updated Turkey Travel Warning
that ordered “the departure of family members of employees posted to
the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, Turkey. The Department of State
made this decision based on security information indicating extremist
groups are continuing aggressive efforts to attack U.S. citizens in
areas of Istanbul where they reside or frequent.”
The
Turkish Airlines Open will be played in Antalya, about 300 miles south of Istanbul.
However, the Antalya area was hit with three rocket attacks earlier
this month.
Meanwhile,
the State Department “continues to warn U.S. citizens of increased
threats from terrorist groups throughout Turkey. U.S. citizens should
avoid travel to southeast Turkey and carefully consider the risks of
travel to and throughout the country."
In June, the Ladies European Tour cancelled the Turkish Airlines Women’s Open because of security threats.
Labels: EUROPEAN TOUR
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