Professional golfer Tommy Fleetwood expressed relief as his family successfully departed Dubai amidst ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Fleetwood and his wife, Clare, relocated to the United Arab Emirates in 2022 and have resided in Dubai since then.
Amid the turmoil in the region, several Britons have returned home, with drone footage capturing attacks on high-rise buildings. The UK Foreign Office recently advised against non-essential travel to the UAE due to the escalating war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
While Fleetwood was competing in Florida, his wife, son, and stepsons were in Dubai. Fortunately, they safely returned to the UK, landing on Wednesday. The golfer expressed his relief, mentioning the challenges of not being able to travel but finding solace in knowing that his family was safe.
Acknowledging the difficulties faced by Britons in Dubai, Fleetwood highlighted issues such as flight cancellations and unexpected expenses. Despite the challenges, he praised the efforts of the nation’s leaders in ensuring safety and protection for residents.
Fleetwood, maintaining focus on his golf game, shot a three-under-par 69 in the opening round at Sawgrass, positioning him two shots behind the leaders, including Sepp Straka. Defending champion Rory McIlroy, who had concerns over a back injury, admitted feeling “rusty” after shooting two over par in the tournament.