England’s Laurie Canter claimed the second DP World Tour title of his career in a three-player playoff at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship after Pablo Larrazabal had dramatically squandered his own victory chance.
Spain’s Larrazabal had appeared set to take the 10th tour win of his career as he came down the 18th of the final round holding a one-shot lead over the English duo of Canter and Dan Brown, who were in the clubhouse at 14 under.
But despite finding the green with his second shot into the par-four final hole, the 41-year-old seemed to let nerves get the better of him as he three-putted from 41 feet to record his only bogey of the round and drop into a playoff.
To compound his misery, Larrazabal then found the right-hand side water with his drive when back on the 18th tee on the first extra hole, all but ending the 41-year-old’s hopes of the title there and then.
That wayward tee shot opened the door to the Brits, with Canter the one to take advantage thanks to a picture-book drive down the 437-yard hole and then a superb 9-iron into the green which saw the ball backspin off the back edge and finish within two feet of the pin.
To his credit, Larrazabal produced his own superb approach after taking his one-shot penalty drop from the water, but a further subsequent missed par putt meant Canter ultimately had the luxury of knowing he had two attempts with the putter for the title. He ultimately only needed one with a brilliant birdie securing the title.
Brown was never in contention, meanwhile, on the playoff hole after finding bunkers with his first two shots and also recorded a bogey.
Canter had shot 69 in a final round which included an eagle-three on the par-four sixth, while Larrazabal and Brown both had 70s. The trio finished on 14-under par for the week, one stroke ahead of David Puig – who recorded Sunday’s best round of 64 – Scotland’s Richie Ramsay (68), Ivan Cantero (69) and Martin Couvra (70).
The final leaderboard in Bahrain after Canter won the three-way playoff
Canter aims to crack world’s top 50 after strong start to 2025
Canter has started the year in fine style in the Middle East with his win in Bahrain coming two weeks after he finished third in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. He was also part of the Great Britain and Ireland team that beat Continental Europe in the Ryder Cup-style Team Cup in Abu Dhabi in early January.
Laurie Canter poses with the unique Bahrain Championship trophy
The 35-year-old, who won his maiden DP World Tour title at the European Open in Germany last June, is now set to move up from his current world ranking of 89 while he is now placed second to Tyrell Hatton in the early Race to Dubai standings.
“It feels great. I really had to hang in the first couple of rounds this week. I was scoring nicely but not great tee to green, kind of putting well, and then last night I had a little chat with my coach… and he gave me a couple of ideas just to improve my iron play.
“I hit the ball great today and then putted terrible, so it’s kind of how it goes. But I’m so chuffed I stuck in there.
“It’s unfortunate what happened to Pablo but just absolutely delighted to have stuck in and get another win.”
Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland
Canter added: “I’ve now got my head fully into trying to climb the world rankings.
“This is going to get me some points and I’ve not got many to defend so I’m going to try to do do everything I can to get myself in that top 50 and open up the opportunities that that brings.
“I’m not that far off it now and it’s great to have a target like that.”
Watch the next DP World Tour tournament with the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters live from Thursday on Sky Sports Golf at 9am. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.
