The DP World Tour continues in the desert. The United Arab Emirates are behind us, making way for Bahrain. The distance is a hop and a skip by plane, yet there are differences. Starting with the clock. Two hours ahead of Spain. One less than in Dubai or Ras al Khaimah. And then the thermometer. The maximum temperature will barely exceed 20 degrees this week. Luxurious.
The Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship returns to the calendar for the second consecutive year, and the truth is that the course, the Royal Golf Club, has positively surprised all the players. Last year it defended well against the wind; in fact, the winner Dylan Frittelli finished at -13, but it’s true that the greens were not the best of the year, quite the opposite. More than one or two struggled.
It’s not that they are the best of the year now, but those who were here last year have been pleasantly surprised. The work done by the English greenkeeper Jamie Faulkner has been extraordinary. The ball rolls very well, and more than one has breathed a sigh of relief. Anyone who intended to use it as an excuse for their performance this week will have to find something else.
The course has less rough than last year. It’s Bermuda grass, and without high temperatures, it struggles to grow. It has been reseeded, but even so, it will be a bit more manageable in that sense. However, this beautiful links course has, like almost all links, the wind as its great defence. And once again, it will be an ally this week… It will blow.
According to the European Tour meteorologist, the day when it will be strongest is Thursday, with a sustained intensity of between 22 and 30 kilometres and gusts that can occasionally exceed 37. A serious matter. Friday will be somewhat similar, Saturday will drop a bit, and Sunday will rise again, although not as much as Thursday. If this forecast holds, the winning score is expected to be between -10 and -15. They will play with the flags as the tournament progresses to tighten or loosen the screws.
The other substantial change to the course is that two tees have been lengthened compared to last year. Specifically, the 10th and the 18th. On the 10th, a short par 4, 23 metres have been added, so it has gone from 310 to 333. Just enough to prevent reaching the green in one, as the prevailing wind, expected this week from the northwest, is against it. Obviously, the hole will lose a bit of spectacle, but it’s really about playing time. Significant delays occurred there last year, slowing the pace while waiting for shots to the green. This way, time will be gained on the round. The DP World Tour and its diligent fight against slow play. On the 18th, 18 metres have been added, and the angle of the tee shot has been slightly changed. An interesting novelty that we will see how it affects.
A great test of golf is expected in Bahrain, where the wind will once again be crucial for the tournament’s outcome. We have twelve Spaniards there aiming to continue Alex del Rey’s victory last Sunday: Alex himself, Ángel Hidalgo, Manu and Nacho Elvira, Pablo Larrazábal, Jorge Campillo, David Puig, Alfredo García Heredia, Iván Cantero, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Ángel Ayora, and Joel Moscatel.
