Brandon Robinson Thompson produced one of the finest rounds of his career on Thursday, setting a new course record with a stunning 61 at the 2025 Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship. His remarkable performance raised hopes of a historic 59 on a memorable opening day.
An early starter, Robinson Thompson took full advantage of the calm morning conditions at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, racing to a front-nine 29 that included two eagles and three birdies. As he strung together four consecutive birdies from the 12th hole to reach 11 under par, excitement grew over the prospect of him becoming only the second player in DP World Tour history to break 60.
So Close
Although his birdie attempt from 30 feet at the 16th somehow stayed above ground, the 32-year-old regained momentum with a long-range birdie at the 17th, moving to 12 under par and putting himself on the brink of history. However, needing a birdie on the final hole to achieve the milestone, he found trouble in a fairway bunker and ultimately carded his only bogey of the day.
With wind conditions toughening in the afternoon, Robinson Thompson’s 11-under-par total secured him a three-shot lead at the end of round one. Fellow morning starter and compatriot Callum Tarren was his closest challenger at eight under, while Spain’s Pablo Larrazábal, France’s Martin Couvra, Scotland’s Richie Ramsay, and Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen sat a further two shots back in a tie for third.
Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship Course Record Destroyed!
The rookie’s exceptional round shattered the previous course record of 64, set by France’s Tom Vaillant last year. Despite the slight disappointment of missing out on a 59, Robinson Thompson remained upbeat about his achievement.
“I think it’s my lowest round as a professional, let alone on the DP World Tour,” he said. “It has to be up there with a Sunday to close out a HotelPlanner Tour event last year. I know it’s the first round, but 61 has to be first or second, surely.”
Eagle Gave The Card Wings
Robinson Thompson’s round caught fire with an eagle at the par-five third, quickly followed by a birdie on the 443-yard fourth. He continued to pick up shots at the sixth and eighth before rolling in a superb 28-foot eagle putt to close out his front nine. A further birdie blitz from the 12th to 15th holes had fans on 59 watch, but a near miss at the 16th and a closing bogey meant he had to settle for an incredible 61.
Was A Sub-60 On The Cards?
Reflecting on when he first realised a sub-60 was on the cards, he said: “After about nine holes! And then I hit it to about four feet on ten, and I was like, ‘oh’… Unfortunately, I missed that one.
“It was just an accumulation of a lot of good decision-making and execution. I didn’t really picture it this morning when it was raining and there were forecasts of super-strong winds. Very happy to get off to the start I did. Little bit of a sour taste in my mouth, but I holed my fair share.”
Among the Bahraini players, Khalifa Alkaabi fared best, battling the challenging conditions to post a respectable 3-over 75.
