The fourth event on the Middle East’s ‘International Swing’ sees a return to The Kingdom of Bahrain on the DP World Tour for the first time in 13 years, with the Bahrain Championship presented by Bapco Energies at Royal Golf Club taking place this week from February 1-4, 2024.

Held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and with a prize fund of $2.5 million, the Royal Golf Club course measures over 7,000 yards and has undergone extensive upgrades with a number of greens on the front nine having been redesigned to welcome the DP World Tour stars.

“We are pleased to host the Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour in the Kingdom of Bahrain,” said His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Hamad Al Khalifa. “This championship, which forms part of what is an elite professional golf tournament series, is organised in cooperation between the Royal Golf Club, the General Sports Authority, the Bahrain Olympic Committee, and the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority.”

Evidence of the Kingdom’s drive to grow the game of golf domestically is born out through the initiative between the Bahrain Olympic Committee and the DP World Tour which is seeing local golfers awarded spots to compete in the tournament via the Bahrain Amateur Open, claimed by Khalid Attieh and Royal Golf Club member, Fahad Al Hakam.

Additionally, Ahmed Al-Zayed, who was the leading Bahraini player in the King Hamad Trophy, and winner of the event, Cole Madey, will both also tee it up alongside the DP World Tour professionals in the Bahrain Championship.

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the DP World Tour, said: “I would firstly like to thank His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Hamad Al Khalifa for welcoming us to the Kingdom of Bahrain as we launch a new event on our International Schedule.

“The Bahrain Championship will mark the DP World Tour’s return to the Kingdom of Bahrain for the first time since 2011 and helps form part of our International Swing of events.

“We are excited to return to Bahrain in February as we continue to showcase our diverse array of tournaments in different countries and cultures across the world.”

The Royal Golf Club, Bahrain

Royal Golf Club has redesigned and rebuilt 10 greens to California spec as the original. The turf used was from the original greens; the Sea Shore Supreme Paspalum turf was removed from the old greens and stored in refrigerated containers before being relayed onto the new root zones. The changes are aimed at creating larger, less undulating playing surfaces which will enable more pin positions to be available for the upcoming DP World Tour event.

Furthermore, a full bunker renovation has been completed. The new bunkers are using crushed marble sand from Oman with the old drainage lines flushed and additional drainage added as needed.

Upgrades to the Championship course weren’t possible without the support by Osool Asset Management and Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (Mumtalakat), the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Bahrain, headed by His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa.

Denmark’s Højgaard, who has four DP World Tour titles to his name, is relishing the opportunity to tee it up again alongside fellow countryman Thomas Bjørn, who headlines a field which also includes rising stars in English trio Dan Bradbury, Alex Fitzpatrick and Jordan Smith.

Rasmus Hojgaard – Getty Images

“Thomas was a big inspiration to Nicolai and myself when we were coming through the ranks,” said Rasmus. “His achievements in the game put Denmark on the world golfing map and it’s been amazing being able to play alongside him on the DP World Tour. I love getting to experience new cultures and countries through the game of golf and can’t wait to visit Bahrain for the first time.”

Spaniard Pablo Larrazábal, is also teeing it up in the Kingdom, with his impressive nine DP World Tour titles to his name and he’s no stranger to success in the Middle East, having won the prestigious Abu Dhabi Championship in 2014.

The 40-year-old has played on the DP World Tour since 2008, was in the field the last time the Tour visited Bahrain, finishing tied 24th at the Volvo Golf Champions, which was claimed by Paul Casey, and he’s looking forward to a return to the Kingdom.

“I really liked the Royal Golf Club course the last time we played there and I believe they’ve made some enhancements recently so it’s going to be even better,” said Larrazábal referencing the recent redesign of several greens on the front nine. “I love starting my season off in the Middle East – the weather is perfect and they have some fantastic golf courses, so I’m really looking forward to what promises to be a great event in Bahrain.”

Mustafa Al Kooheji, Secretary General of Bahrain Olympic Committee, commented on the excitement in the country with the DP World Tour’s return; “We are thrilled to welcome back the DP World Tour to Bahrain. Golf is a game, not only of great skill, but one which showcases the highest levels of sportsmanship, fairness and etiquette and one which the Kingdom is proud to support and encourage.

“Through hosting the Bahrain Championship and welcoming some of the best golfers in the world, we are underlining our commitment to this wonderful sport.”

Main image: Royal Golf Club