Manama: Dylan Frittelli is excited to return to the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship as defending champion, after ending a six-year wait for his third DP World Tour title at Royal Golf Club last season.
The South African wrapped up a two-shot triumph over countryman Zander Lombard and Swede Jesper Svensson 12 months ago to close what he admits was a difficult chapter in his career, following two DP World Tour victories in in a breakout 2017 season, and a maiden PGA TOUR title at the 2019 John Deere Classic.
“(The win) was huge,” said Frittelli, who shot 13-under-par to take the 2024 title. “I started the year not knowing where I would play, how many tournaments I would get. I was just hoping to cement some kind of status on the DP World Tour, but thankfully I got the opportunity here and just knuckled down on the weekend and did whatever I had to do to get that win.
“It meant I could plan the whole year, and I had enough status to project out and know which tournaments I could play. The relief afterwards was evident on my face I think.”
Frittelli arrives back in Bahrain as the event’s first defending champion and is feeling good about his game after a solid start to the season, including a top ten finish at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic – the first Rolex Series event of the 2025 Race to Dubai – two weeks ago.
“I’m feeling good – a whole lot better than I did coming into this event last year, so that’s a nice feeling,” he added. “But I know the conditions here can be tough, windy, firm conditions on the ground, so I’ll need to keep my wits about me, focus really hard even though I’m playing a lot better than last year.”
He is joined in the field by a buoyant Alejandro del Rey, with the Spaniard moving into second place in the International Swing Rankings after his maiden DP World Tour victory at the Ras Al Khaimah Championship on Sunday.
“I think it’s sunk in now,” said del Rey. “For the first couple of hours after the win, I just didn’t even know where I was. But I finally had some time to enjoy it, think about it. They were good celebrations.”
Meanwhile Mike Lorenzo-Vera – who celebrated his 40th birthday on Tuesday – admits that he feels extra pressure to do well this week after forging strong ties to Bahrain. The Frenchman enjoyed a positive week in Dubai on his return to action after a mental-health break, and is looking forward to a ‘special week’.
“I was quite emotional to come back to Dubai. It felt like things were coming back to normal in terms of being at golf tournaments,” he said. “But here is a special week for me because I have some special relationships with people here. I want to do well, so it’s a bit of extra pressure. I feel like the heart is pumping a bit harder than usual.
A global field has gathered for the second edition of the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, including five of the seven winners so far on the 2025 Race to Dubai, Major champions Pádraig Harrington, Jimmy Walker and Patrick Reed and Ryder Cup players Rafa Cabrera Bello, Nicolas Colsaerts, Ross Fisher, Thorbjørn Olesen and Bernd Wiesberger.
Meanwhile, local representation comes from talented trio, Yaseen Le Falher, Al Al Kowari and Khalifa Alkaabi who gained their spots alongside the elite field of DP World Tour stars via national qualifying events.
“I’m really excited for the week,” said top ranked Bahraini Le Falher. “It feels like a long time coming since getting my spot at the Bahrain Amateur Open.
“The standard of the field is exceptional and it’s definitely a huge opportunity for us locals to get to play in a field like this. It’s a credit to the Bahrain Olympic Committee and the Bahrain Olympic Committee for giving us these spots, to gain this experience which, who knows, could kickstart our golf careers.”
Al Al Kowari added: “I’m excited, for sure. This is my first time playing this tournament having qualified via the King Hamad Trophy. It wasn’t easy getting the spot so I’m very happy to get my first DP World Tour start.
“Learning from the great players who are competing this week is the main goal. Having fun is another. I need to have fun and play well. We just finished Bahrain National Team qualifying and I made it onto the team, so I feel like I’m ready.”
In addition to the elite competition on the greens, the 2025 Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship promises an exciting lineup of off-course highlights in the Championship Village, designed to entertain friends, families, and fans of all ages.
Visitors can explore the Craft Markets, experience Bahraini culture through falcon displays and pottery activities, or capture memories at the AI Photobooth and Instagramable Walls. For thrill-seekers, the 100-metre Zip Lines provide an adrenaline rush, while families can enjoy the Soft Play Kids Zone, Mini Golf, and Inflatable Play Area. Gamers can head to the PlayStation Zone, and food enthusiasts can indulge in a culinary journey featuring global cuisines and traditional Bahraini flavours. With roaming entertainers and two giant screens to catch live action, the Championship Village ensures there’s something for everyone to enjoy, making it an unmissable weekend for fans and families alike.
