Defending champion Dylan Fritelli will join Grand Slam champions Pádraig Harrington and Jimmy Walker and DP World Tour champions Thorbjørn Olesen and Jorge Campillo at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship from January 30 to February 2, 2025.
Last season the DP World Tour returned to the Kingdom for the first time since 2011 and in 2025 the Royal Golf Club event will once again be part of the Dubai International Swing, with integrated energy company Bapco Energies as new title sponsor , leading the energy transition in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Fans can get free general admission tickets now here .
South Africa's Frittelli claimed his third DP World Tour title and first victory in seven years by two strokes on a thrilling final day in Bahrain in February. The 34-year-old birdied three of his final six holes to secure victory and look to defend his title.
Frittelli said: “It's great to be back at the Royal Golf Club and I'm excited to see if I can get back-to-back wins there. It's obviously a course I enjoy playing and I spent last year in Bahrain It was a great experience and I can’t wait to come back and challenge for the title again.”
Harrington, a three-time major champion, is having a successful season in 2024, with three wins at the PGA Tour Champions and top-10 finishes in two senior majors.
The 2021 Ryder Cup captain also finished tied for 22nd at the 152nd Open at Royal Troon in 2024, returning to Bahrain for the first time since 2011.
Harrington said: “It's been a respectable year for me, I've got three wins and I feel like I'm playing well. I'll be in the Middle East for a few weeks next year, although it's not that long since my last trip to Bahrain. It's been a while, but we were playing on a field in 2011, so it'll be interesting to see how things play out back then.”
Walker, the 2016 PGA Championship winner, impressed on the DP World Tour earlier this year with a tie for seventh at the Amgen Irish Open and will be competing on the DP World Tour for the first time in his career. Bahrain kicks off.
Walker said: “It's always exciting to visit a new country and Bahrain is a country I've heard a lot of good things about. I did two DP World Tour events last year and had some very positive results, so hopefully I can To build on that and achieve a great performance at the Royal Golf Club.”
Earlier this year, Olsen won for the first time in the Middle East with victory at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship, a feat that made him an eight-time DP World Tour champion.
The Dane will also get his first taste of the Kingdom and hopes to go strong in a series of events in the Middle East at the Race to Dubai in early 2025.
Olson said: “This will be my first trip to Bahrain so it will be a new course and a new challenge which is always enjoyable. I have played some good golf in the Middle East over the years and at the beginning of the year Good results help you prepare for the season and that's my goal.”
Spain's Campillo found his 2024 best form in the 'Back 9' on the trip to Dubai, finishing second at home in Estreladam for the third consecutive year at the end of the season. Earned a spot at the North American Andalusia Masters at the DP World Tour Championship.
The three-time DP World Tour champion returns to the Royal Golf Club and is excited to begin his 13th consecutive year on the Golf World Tour.
Campillo said: “I learned a lot playing at Royal Golf Club last year and I'm hoping to use that experience to my advantage this time around. I feel like the longer last season lasted, the better my game got. Well, and I did find something in the final stages and I will try to make sure that continues in Bahrain.”
Golf fans can get free general admission tickets to the four-day Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship here.
There are also a number of premium experiences available, including the Ticket+ option, which includes access to the dedicated bar and deck on the 18th hole. Chalet of Champions will return on the 18th with a full entertainment program including live music and extensive dining options for the whole family to enjoy.
Freddie Schmeisser, Event Director of the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, said: “The Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship is not only about showcasing world-class golf, but also providing opportunities for emerging talent from the region and beyond.
“This event is a platform for up-and-comers to compete against the best in the industry and gain valuable experience and exposure. It will be exciting to see the mix of established champions and rising stars, and we look forward to bringing the experience to players and fans alike. Come for an unforgettable experience.”
The event is one of eight events on the international swing circuit, following the Team Cup, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic (the first Rolex Series event of the season) and the Ras Al Khaimah Championship.
