– This Thursday marks the start of the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, the third stop on the desert swing of the DP World Tour following the two events in Dubai, which concluded with victories by Nacho Elvira and Patrick Reed. And from the desert, we will discuss some things in this preview…
– There is a great paradox this week. There is no country more desert-like in golfing terms in the Middle East than Bahrain. In fact, the only grass course in the country is precisely the Royal Golf Club where the tournament is being played this week. The rest of the courses are sand. Indeed, many players and caddies take advantage of this week to play on one of those alternative courses.
– The curious contradiction is that, precisely this year, the desert of Bahrain surrounding the Montgomerie course, as the tournament course is called, is easier than ever. It is much firmer than in 2025, as if the sand has been removed or compacted, and it has been cleaned up significantly. There are fewer bushes, shrubs, and other harmful species capable of ruining any round of golf. The country with the most desert simultaneously has the easiest desert.
– Yes, you can still have bad luck and find your ball stuck to a rock or in an unplayable area, but nothing compared to a year ago or the ‘killer’ bushes on the right of the 6th or the left of the 12th at the Majlis course last week. This translates into greater comfort from the tee. Players will be able to play more freely.
– This is perhaps the big novelty, although not the only one. The most significant change in terms of course design or strategy is at the 11th hole. It is a short par 4 that is no longer so short… It has increased by almost 50 metres, which means that last year you could go for the green, or at least leave it very close, and this year after a massive drive you will not have less than 50 metres left. It is a less easy hole. This could compensate for the relatively greater ease if you miss the fairway.
– On the other hand, the greens are somewhat more receptive than last year, a circumstance that should help to see better scores. That is, if two years ago the winning score was -13 and the top 10 was at -7 and last year the winning score was -14 and the top 10 was at -12, it could be expected that this year the champion should be between -15 and -20, while the top 10 should be above -13 or -14.
– In any case, everything will depend on how and how much the wind blows, the great defence of this course. The forecast says that Thursday could see stronger winds, without being a gale, around 25-30 kilometres per hour, which is not bad, but by Friday it should decrease and no wind is expected on Saturday and Sunday. This is the forecast and it could change. It should always be handled with caution. If confirmed, it is likely that the scores will be lower than in previous years. The greens are not bad, but the memory of the past two years is slightly better.
– Bahrain has been favourable to Spanish golf lately. In 2024, Sebastián García Rodríguez was in the penultimate group on Sunday, and last year everyone will remember that Pablo Larrazábal lost in a playoff to Laurie Canter. The Barcelonian made a bogey on the last hole to enter the playoff. In other words, they have been close on two occasions, especially last year. Who knows if the third time will be the charm.
– Not all Spaniards have fared well on this course. Nacho Elvira, for example, has missed the cut the past two years, although he arrives in a very different manner after his victory at the Dubai Invitational. Additionally, another who wants to make amends is Ángel Ayora. The Marbella native recorded his worst result of the entire season here last year, with two rounds of 74 and 75 strokes.
– There are 14 Spaniards competing, led by Sergio García. The Borriol native has received an invitation. He returns to the European circuit for the first time since the Open de España and after losing his membership for not playing the minimum required in 2025. Alongside the Masters champion are in Bahrain: Nacho and Manu Elvira, Alex el Rey, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Quim Vidal, Rocco Repetto, Jorge Campillo, Eugenio Chacarra, Iván Cantero, Ángel Ayora, Sebastián García Rodríguez, Pablo Larrazábal, and Ángel Hidalgo. It will be the 2026 debut for Vidal, Repetto, and Sebas.
– Among the participants is one of the legendary names of the PGA Tour in recent years. It is Ryan Palmer. He has entered through the category of players who finished between positions 101 and 200 of the FedEx Cup last year. At 49 years old, he has four victories on the PGA Tour.
