Brandon Robinson-Thompson fires an incredible 61, setting a new course record and leading by three shots
Brandon Robinson-Thompson made an unforgettable mark on the Bahrain Championship, firing a sensational 61 to set a new course record at the Royal Golf Club. Despite a bogey on the final hole, the Englishman stormed to a three-shot lead after the first round.
The 32-year-old, competing in his debut season on the DP World Tour, stunned the field with an exhilarating display of precision and brilliance. “I didn’t picture this outcome this morning when it was raining and the forecast was grim,” Robinson-Thompson admitted. “But I made smart choices, executed well, and holed a lot of putts.”
His round featured eight birdies and two eagles, leaving him just one birdie away from equalling Oliver Fisher’s historic European Tour record of 59, set at the 2018 Portugal Masters. Stepping onto the 18th tee with the chance to make history, Robinson-Thompson needed just one more birdie but finished with a bogey instead, narrowly missing out on golf immortality.
Embed from Getty Images“This has to be my best or second-best round ever,” he reflected. “It’s my lowest round as a pro, and I’m thrilled. I’m working with a new caddy, and we’re having a great time.”
His closest challenger, fellow Englishman Callum Tarren, sits in second place at eight under, while Scotland’s Richie Ramsay is among a group two shots further back.
As Robinson-Thompson looks to build on his flying start, all eyes will be on whether he can maintain his dominance and claim a breakthrough victory in Bahrain.
