Manama, Bahrain, Jan. 31 -- Brandon Robinson Thompson hailed yesterday's 61 as one of his best-ever rounds after smashing the course record and raising hopes of a 59 on a memorable first day of the 2025 Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship.

Early starter Robinson Thompson flew out of the blocks, making the most of benign morning conditions to fire a front-nine 29 that contained two eagles and three birdies.

And when he reeled off four successive birdies from the 12th to get to 11 under par, the prospect of Robinson Thompson entering the record books as only the second player to shoot a sub-60 round in DP World Tour history was on everyone's lips.

Although his birdie run was broken at the 16th as his superb birdie try from 30 feet someho...