Confirmation the major-winning Texas duo of Patrick Reed and Jimmy Walker are set to compete will surely boost interest in the up-coming Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship.
The Masters winning Reed and the PGA Championship champion Walker indicated to GolfByTourMiss their intention to tee-up on January 30th on the Royal GC course in the island nation.
While organisers have confirmed Walker’s attendence, this website is first to speak with him on his visit while Reed’s attendance is yet to be formally confirmed and that would seem unlikely given Reed is LIV Golf attached and the Bahrain tournament is being held under the DP World Tour banner.
Of course, it will be a first for both Americans who are contesting this week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic and here at the Emirates Club, where two years ago, Reed went so close to victory.
TEXAS INVASION HEADED #BahrainGolfChamps
Lone Star State duo of Jimmy Walker & Patrick Reed to tee-up in Bahrain @DPWorldTour
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— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) January 14, 2025
Walker, in contrast, is making his debut in this week’s $9m event though the sight of the 45-year-old winner of the 2016 Rodman Wanamaker Trophy leaving the course just after two holes of a practice round, and slightly limping was not what you wanted to see.
Walker made his way back to the opening tee where he aksed one of the DP World Tour officials the loaction of Tour’s physio staff, and with the American having done something to lower ankle region of his left leg.
While Reed is a Life Member of the Tour, Walker was afforded an invitation and that also was the scenario when he finished T7th in last September’s Irish Open and a fortnight later in sharing 13th place at the Open de Espana.
This website spoke to Walker ahead of teeing-up in his practice and asked him in a jovial manner that he was becoming a regular on the DP World Tour, as Walker is also confirmed for next week’s Ras Al Khaimah Championship, around an 70-kilmetre drive north of Dubai.
“Oh, I don’t know about becoming a regular but I defintely have three in a row over here in this part of the world”, he said smiling.
“I’ve never been to this part of the world, so it was nice to have been extended the invitations”.
And his first thoughts on size of the Dubai, including the nowhere-in-the-world sight to greet those arriving the Emirates Golf Club that for many years following the inaugural 1989 Dubai Desert Classic was the very first sign of any development of any kind.
“You just get blown away by the number of high-rise buildings”, Walker said.
“Last night, we went down to the Steak & Co restaurant located right under the Burj Khalifa tower. It’s all pretty wild.
“After playing two events last year, I spoke to the Tour and they expressed an interest in me coming over here, and particularly after playing well those two weeks. So, I thought why not, and maybe I can travel over here.
“So, I’m here to play the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, RAK next week and then head over to Bahrain.
“I got my first look at this Emirates course yesterday (Monday) and a I really like it. The greens are good and will sure to get faster and faster as the week goes, and maybe also firm-up a bit.
“So, looking forward to teeing-up here and also my first event of this New Year”.
Reed indicated to GolfByTourMiss his entry has been confirmed for Bahrain while he still awaits word from organisers of next week’s RAK Championship.