Scot Calum Hill was in sizzling form, posting a DP World Tour career low 11-under 61 on day two of Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship.
Hill headed into day two of the event trailing two shots adrift of the lead but soon made his presence felt in his 140th Tour start when he birdied three holes in succession from the fourth hole on the Colin Montgomerie designed Royal GC course.
The 31-year-old reigning Joburg Open champ then birdied the ninth and 10th holes for a second day running before moving to eight-under for his round with birdies at 13 and 14, then ending his day’s work with a hat-trick of birdies, including draining a five-footer for a birdie ‘3’ at the last.
Hill proudly headed to lunch equalling the course record with his 11-under effort for a 36-hole 16-under tally that was at the time, eight shots ahead of his nearest clubhouse rival in Dutchman Joost Luiten, who signed for a 65 to be at eight-under.
BEST EVER TOUR & ALSO COMPETIVE CAREER ROUND …
Declares @CallumHill98 @bouncespmgt in posting a 6⃣1⃣ to tie the Monty designed ⛳️record
“I haven’t kept track of what I’ve shot in practice, so that’s up there with one of the best rounds I’ve played” said Hill
Read:… pic.twitter.com/jvJlpnADrL
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) January 30, 2026
“Today was really good, starting off really well and then I had a few bonus putts from really long range over the last few holes that went in, so it was nice,” said Hill.
“Obviously, this round ranks very high up. It’s my best round in competitive golf and tournament golf. I haven’t kept track of what I’ve shot in practice, so that’s up there with one of the best rounds I’ve played.
“I knew the course record was 11-under, so I also knew in playing my last shot it was very good in the air, so it was nice to finish off with a birdie. So, very happy”.
Hill’s 61 is a shot less than his previous career low of a final round 62 to win last March in the South African capital, and he was asked, knowing 61 was the Bahrain course record, what were his thoughts on the final tee.
“I just wanted to keep my tee shot on land, given there’s water all down the right side”, he said smiling.
“So, it’s not the nicest final hole and while I played the shot strategically shorter, hitting a 5-iron that was down the middle and then a 9-iron into the green.
“Yesterday my round of 67 felt equally good but I just made a few errors around the turn but today I had a few bonus putts go in and it took out what I did wrong yesterday.
“So as long as I can keep learning from what I’ve done and keep applying it, hopefully I’ve still got some good rounds left in me”.
England’s Brandon Robinson-Thompson had set the course record in last year’s Bahrain event.
