GOLF – BAHRAIN’S golfers who competed in the 2026 Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship are confident they can catch up with their professional counterparts as they continue to gain experience each year the DP World Tour spectacle is held in the kingdom.
Top Bahraini amateurs Ahmed Alzayed, Ali Alkowari, and Khalifa Almeraisi all flew the kingdom’s flag with pride over the past two days in the prestigious competition, but did not make the cut after 36 holes yesterday, ending their campaigns.
Despite this, they expressed their satisfaction with their performances and believe Bahrain’s best will soon be able to hold their own against their world-class opposition – especially with the long-term agreement in place between the Bahrain Olympic Committee and the DP World Tour that secures the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour schedule until at least 2036.
“Next year, inshaallah, we can do better,” Alzayed told the GDN after carding a nine-over-par 81 yesterday, matching his first-round score, to end his participation with an 18-over 162 total. “We have to improve and play plenty of golf, and then maybe we can make the cut.
“Bahrain has really improved in golf over the years. His Highness Shaikh Nasser is also playing the game now and it has become more famous.”
Alkowari concurred. “We Bahraini players are all very good, and I can see a Bahraini making it into the cut in the near future,” Alkowari told the GDN after finishing his second round at even par for a seven-over 151 total over two days.
“We understand that we are playing against professionals, but we have the same clubs and we have the same training, so I can see Bahrainis making the cut even in the next two or three years.”
Both Alzayed and Alkowari said they had valuable learning experiences in this year’s tournament, which marked their second appearances on the DP World Tour stage.
“It was a good chance to play with some of the world’s best players and learn from them,” said Alzayed. “This year I learned more about how to play the course and how to be calm; how to play with the rangefinder, which is next level.”
Alkowari added: “Every year, I’m learning in this event and also the main thing is to have fun.
“I definitely played better than last year. My shots were good – I think I finished 20 shots better than last year, and overall I am very happy.
“Hopefully, if I’m playing again next year, I can get even better scores.”
Almeraisi was eight-over-par in his second round yesterday to wrap up his 2026 Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship with a 24-over-par 168 score from 36 holes.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh