Super Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal heads into the final round of his 448th DP World Tour event sharing second place, just a shot from the lead at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Golf Championship.
Larrazabal, 41, fought back from a pair of opening bogeys to pick-up four birdies, including a 20-foot gem at the 15th in signing for a 70 and move to 12-under par on the host Royal Golf Club course.
England’s Callum Tarren continues to lead despite a shaky ‘moving day’ level par 72 to remain at 13-under but it’s Larrazabal he must now fear ahead of the last day in the $2.5m event.
Larrazabal and three others, including first round leader England’s Brandon Robinson-Thompson (68), share second while there is 19 players lying within just four shots of the lead.
NEARLY 4⃣5⃣0⃣ @DPWorldTour EVENTS …
“… but the nerves are still there because I care about it” say super #Spaniard @plarrazabal @CallawayGolfEU just 1 behind heading last day #BahrainGolfChamps
Read: https://t.co/n2TUZmgoIb
SKY
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— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) February 1, 2025
Larrazabal is a 10-time DP World Tour winner and was in the field 14 year ago when Bahrain debuted on the world golf stage with the hosting of the 2011 Volvo Champions event.
And even now into his 40s, the World No. 311 still has what it takes as evident when he aced par-3 second hole on Friday and while talking of being a little nervous heading into the final day the very popular Spaniard knows how to win as he seeks Tour success No. 11 after last capturing a 10th title at the 2023 KLM Open.
“I wish one day to come to Bahrain for a holiday but I am here to try and play good golf”, Larrazabal said.
“I have played almost 450 tournaments but the nerves are still there because I care about it.
“There is nothing better to win a golf tournament, so I am going to do my best to be in position tomorrow for the last few holes. To try to be in contention for the back nine. That will be my strategy”.
And when asked about the conditions heading into day four, Lazzabal had just one wish.
“I heard tomorrow it is going to be windy and I hope the wind blows as hard as it can because …. because I luv it”, he said.
Well said, Pablo. You’re one of the best.