Tarren's stumbles after fast start, but patience pays off in Bahrain
Callum Tarren leads by two shots at the halfway stage of the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship after battling back from a slow start to get to 13 under par with a second round 67 on the DP World Tour..
The Englishman fired a bogey-free first round 64 at Royal Golf Club, but had to be patient in the early stages of Friday afternoon as he dropped a shot on the opening hole and made another bgey on the fourth to slip further off the pace set by Italy's Andrea Pavan.
The 34 year-old bounced back in style, carding four birdies in his next five holes, and the birdies kept coming on the back nine.
He picked up shots at the 11th, 13th and 14th to head into the weekend two ahead of Pavan - who held the early clubhouse lead after notching eight birdies and a single bogey - and fellow Englishman Dan Brown, who also carded a seven under 65.
Pablo Larrazábal is a shot further back at ten under after making a memorable hole-in-one at the second in his round of 68.
The Spaniard, who is chasing a 10th DP World Tour title, holed his tee-shot at the 192-yard par-three with a six iron to seal the sixth ace of his career.
Finland's Tapio Pulkkanen is then at nine under, with overnight leader Brandon Robinson Thompson amongst the group of five players a shot further back after following up his course record 61 on Thursday with a three over 75.
Tarren said on completing his round: "I got off to a shaky start today, but I knew I was playing good golf, so I just stayed patient. A few bounce-back birdies, and I played really solid again. So just more of that and see what happens..
"I misjudged the wind on one, got it riding the wind and hit it up against the fence. I could hit it, but it was against a rock so didn't want to risk that. I just said, ride this tough start, but plenty of chances out there. Managed to capitalise on a few good shots.
"There were a couple in the middle of the round where I hit it to two feet and a foot with nine iron and a wedge:" he sadded. "A couple of good saves coming in, a couple of good putts. The par save on 16. That kept the momentum going. Shame about the last (missed birdie chance) but I'm ready to tackle the weekend.
"Our first six, seven holes it was blowing but died off a bit, just tried to take advantage then and managed to do so. Just got to keep giving myself chances..
"I've got to keep the foot to the floor because the course will yield birdies to the guys behind me. Just keep doing what I'm doing, stay patient. I feel very relaxed this week for some reason, I don't know why. I just feel super chilled, so hopefully that's a good omen," Tarren concluded.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Syme seals first DP World Tour title at KLM Open, hails caddie's role in breakthrough
Scotland's Connor Syme finally tasted victory on the DP World Tour, securing his first title at the 2025 KLM Open with a composed final round at The International, and credited his caddie for instilling the belief that a win was within reach. In his 182nd career start, the 29-year-old from Drumoig held off a determined challenge from Sweden's Joakim Lagergren, finishing two shots clear after a head-to-head battle that lasted all afternoon. With the rest of the field trailing behind, it quickly became a two-man duel - Syme never looked rattled. Syme acknowledged the crucial role his team played, singling out caddie Ryan McGuigan for reinforcing the belief that victory was possible. 'It's an unbelievable feeling,' an emotional Syme said. 'The past few days were really tough, but I felt different this week—calmer, more ready. Ryan's (McGuigan) been huge for me, always reminding me that I've won before, even if not at this level.' Syme began the final round with a two-stroke lead over Lagergren, and while Italian Francesco Laporta rounded out the final group, the real drama was between the Scot and the Swede. Early Move Syme made an early statement with a birdie at the second, his wedge shot nestling four feet from the cup. Lagergren kept the pressure on, holing a long birdie putt at the seventh, but a slip-up in the sand at the ninth handed the advantage back to Syme. After trading birdies on the 13th, Syme dropped his first shot in 33 holes at the 14th - a rare misstep that cut his lead to two. But he quickly steadied the ship. When Lagergren failed to save par at the 15th, Syme missed a birdie putt but regained his three-stroke cushion. Even as Lagergren unleashed a late eagle on the 18th, it was too little, too late. Syme calmly navigated the closing stretch with smart shot choices and nerveless putting, tapping in for par on the last to seal a career-defining win at nine under par. He joins a prestigious group of Scots who have triumphed at the KLM Open, including Colin Montgomerie and Gordon Brand Jr. South Africa's Jayden Schaper claimed solo third with a final-round 69, while Scots Ewen Ferguson and Richie Ramsay shared fourth alongside England's Jack Senior. Ferguson lit up the course with an ace on the seventh, finishing with a sizzling 67. Laporta faded late with trouble at the 18th, while last week's winner Nicolai von Dellingshausen finished among a cluster at two under, joined by Jorge Campillo, Manuel Elvira, Andy Sullivan, and Dan Bradbury. Emotional Victory An emotional Syme credited his team, particularly his caddie Ryan McGuigan, for helping him believe a win was within reach. He also acknowledged the impact of his formative years and his time on developmental tours, where he built the confidence that ultimately carried him over the finish line. 'There's so much talent coming through now,' he added. 'To get my name on the list of first-time winners this season is just amazing.'
Hi Dubai
5 days ago
- Hi Dubai
DP World Launches Global Clubhouse Initiative to Make Golf Accessible to Youth
DP World has unveiled a new global initiative aimed at making golf more accessible to underserved youth, launching its first purpose-built Clubhouse in Cape Town, South Africa. The project builds on the success of DP World's Second Life Container Initiative, which repurposed shipping containers to distribute over 350,000 golf balls worldwide. Now, through the Clubhouse program, the company is taking a step further—transforming unused containers into fully equipped golf hubs tailored to the needs of grassroots programs around the world. Each Clubhouse will offer essential golf equipment, storage, and training aids, delivered using DP World's logistics network. The aim is to create safe, engaging environments for young players to learn and grow through golf, particularly in communities with limited access to the sport. The first unit was donated in partnership with the Sally Little Golf Trust, a South African non-profit dedicated to empowering young women through golf. The Trust uses the sport to instill values like honesty, integrity, respect, and perseverance—skills seen as critical for academic and personal development. 'At DP World, we believe in creating opportunities to empower young people,' said Daniel van Otterdijk, Chief Communications Officer. 'This initiative reflects how our logistics expertise and global partnerships can help open doors for the next generation.' The Clubhouse roll-out will continue in tandem with key events in the golf calendar, including the DP World Tour and the Ryder Cup in New York this September. As one of the world's leading logistics providers, DP World is giving new life to its containers—while shaping a more inclusive future for the game of golf. News Source: Dubai Media Office
Dubai Eye
6 days ago
- Dubai Eye
Alcaraz wins epic French Open final
Carlos Alcaraz clinched the French Open men's title after an epic comeback victory over Jannik Sinner. The second-seeded Spaniard saved three match points as he beat world number one Sinner 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(3) 7-6(10-2) to win back-to-back titles at Roland Garros. In a scintillating showdown between the torch-bearers of a new generation, the 22-year-old Alcaraz saved three match points in the fourth set to continue his dominance over Sinner with a fifth successive win and end the Italian's 20-match winning streak at the majors. The duo, who have captured seven of the last eight Grand Slams to stamp their authority on the tour, were locked in a fierce battle in the first major final between two men born in the 2000s. Alcaraz showed his steely determination to win the epic in five hours and 29 minutes - the longest ever final at Roland Garros, to clinch his fifth Grand Slam title.
