Brandon Robinson Thompson threatened to card the second ’59 round’ in DP World Tour history on his way to a three-shot lead at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship.
Two eagles and three birdies took Robinson Thompson to the turn in 29 at Royal Golf Club and a run of five birdies in six holes from the 12th left him needing to birdie the last to break the 60 barrier.
However, after missing the fairway and the green on the 443-yard par four, the 32-year-old dropped his only shot of the day and had to settle for an 11-under-par 61, setting a new course record.
“I didn’t really picture it this morning when it was raining and there was a forecast for super strong winds, so very happy to get off to the start that I did,” Robinson Thompson said.
“A little bit of a sour taste in my mouth (with the bogey on 18), I’m not going to lie, but I holed my fair share.”
Asked when he first thought about matching Oliver Fisher’s 59 in the 2018 Portugal Masters, Robinson-Thompson added: “After about nine holes, and then I hit it to four feet on 10.
“Unfortunately I missed that one but it was just an accumulation of a lot of good decision-making and execution.
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Relive how Oliver Fisher became the first player to card a ’59 round’ in DP World Tour history during the 2018 Portugal Masters
“I wouldn’t say it was perfect by a long ways, but I was smart when I had to be and hit a couple of shots to 25, 30, 35 feet and luckily made a couple of those.
“I think it’s my lowest round as a professional, let alone on the DP World Tour, so it has to be up there as first or second (career-best), apart from maybe a Sunday to close out a Challenge Tour event last year.”
Brandon Robinson Thompson grabbed a three-shot lead in Bahrain
Fellow Englishman Callum Tarren was Robinson Thompson’s nearest challenger on eight under par following a bogey-free 64, with Scotland’s Richie Ramsay, Spain’s Pablo Larrazabal, France’s Martin Couvra and Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen all on six under.
Former Ryder Cup players Ross Fisher and Rafa Cabrera Bello are both in the group on five under and tied-seventh, while defending champion Dylan Frittelli carded a two-under-par 70. Thorbjorn Olesen – the highest-ranked player in the field – struggled to a three-over 75.
Who will win the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship? Watch throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Friday from 8.30am on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.