DP World Tour returns to Bahrain for the first time in 13 years to continue international swing
The Bahrain Championship is the first time a DP World Tour (formerly European Tour) event has been held in the country since the 2011 Volvo Golf Tournament of Champions. That week’s winner was 34-year-old Paul Casey.
The Volvo Golf Tournament of Champions only lasted one year, even though it was a huge success when the world’s best golfers teed up in Bahrain. We hope that the Bahrain Championship will continue beyond the first edition.
The Bahrain Championship is the fourth event of the DP World Tour’s International Swing and the penultimate stop in the Persian Gulf before the Tour heads to Qatar for the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Who is participating in the Bahrain Championship?
The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am was held this week, with many of the world’s top players in attendance, including Rory McIlroy, who will make his PGA Tour debut in 2024, and Matthew Pavon, last week’s Farmers Insurance Open winner. Meanwhile, Torbjorn Olesen, who won last week’s Ras Al Khaimah championship, will take a week off.
The highest ranked player in this field this week is Rasmus Hejgaard. The Dane will be hoping to improve on his second-place finish last week and lift the trophy on Sunday. Jordan Smith is the only other top 100 player playing in Bahrain this week. The British player will be hoping to capitalize on his weak areas to claim his first victory since winning the Portugal Masters in 2022.
Some players played in the Volvo Golf Tournament of Champions many years ago in 2011 and have returned to Bahrain. The highest finisher in this field this week 13 years ago was Stephen Gallacher. Other players who teed up on the same course in January 2011 include Eduardo Molinari, Pablo Larrazabal and Thomas Bjorn.
Despite not having the strongest field, there are plenty of golfers hoping to win in Bahrain. See the full list of athletes competing in the Bahrain Championships and how they qualified here.
What is the format of the Bahrain Championship?
This is a standard stroke play event played over 72 holes with a cut after 36 holes (2 rounds) with the top 65 players and tied players advancing to the final two rounds. The player with the lowest score after four rounds wins the tournament.
Where will the Bahrain Championship be held?
The Bahrain Championship will be held at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain. It is the only 18-hole championship golf course in the country and hosted the Volvo Golf Tournament of Champions in 2011. The 7,261 yard, par 72 golf course was designed by golf great Colin Montgomery.
The Royal Golf Club is a great test for tour players and amateur golfers, with four lakes and vast stretches of sandy moorland dotted around the course. See how Royal Golf Club ranks among the top 100 best golf courses in the Middle East and North Africa.
Who will win the Bahrain Championship?
On paper, this looks like an easy win for Rasmus Hejgaard – the highest-ranked player in the field, and he did well in the UAE last week – but golf is not won on paper. there is no. However, as of October 1, Hodgegaard is the clear favorite among bookmakers.
Other players at the front of the market are Yannick Paul at 16/1 and Jordan Smith at 18/1. Both players have finished inside the top five this season, with him being his second-highest ranked player and his third-highest ranked player in the field, so it’s surprising that both names stand out so much in betting. Not. South Africa’s Xander Lombard is again near the top of the market following last week’s Ras Al Khaimah Championship.
Selected odds (revised as of January 29, 2024, 5pm GMT)
Rasmus Hoygaard 10/1
Yannick Paul 16/1
Jordan Smith 18/1
Xander Lombard 20/1
Antoine Rosner 25/1
Romain Langask 28/1
Alex Fitzpatrick 28/1
Joost Luiten 33/1
Bernd Wiesberger 40/1
Pablo Larrazabal 50/1
How much will the winner of the Bahrain Championship receive?
The winner of the inaugural Bahrain Championship will win $425,000, which is a significant portion of the $2,500,000 purse.
How to watch the Bahrain Championship
UK viewers can watch all the action on Sky Sports Golf
Always Greenwich Mean Time
Thursday, February 1st: Sky Sports Golf, 08.30
Friday, February 2nd: Sky Sports Golf, 08.30
Saturday, February 3rd: Sky Sports Golf, 09:00
Sunday February 4th: Sky Sports Golf, 08.30
US viewers can watch all the action on Golf Channel
All times (Eastern Standard Time)
Thursday, February 1st: Golf Channel, 03.30
Friday, February 2nd: Golf Channel, 03.30
Saturday, February 3rd: Golf Channel, 04:00
Sunday February 4th: Golf Channel, 03.30
Bahrain Championship tee time
Start time information for the opening two rounds will be posted here as soon as it is announced.
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About the author
James Hogg – Golf Equipment Writer
James holds a degree in English from Newcastle University and an MA in Journalism from Kingston University.
Alongside his studies, he worked for seven years as part of the sales and fitting team at American Golf, where he is an expert in putters, golf balls, and apparel.
James started playing golf as a teenager and plays with a 4.7 handicap at Cleveland Golf Club, thanks to his length and consistency off the tee.
For more information on golf equipment, please contact James via email.