Padraig Harrington Posts Steady Bahrain Championship Round 1

January 29, 2026

Irish golf star Padraig Harrington got off to a steady start on Day 1 of the 2026 Bahrain Championship.

The three-time major champion posted an opening round score of -1 par, leaving him six shots off the pace with 54-holes to play.

Padraig Harrington Posts Steady Start At Bahrain Championship

Neither Rory McIlroy nor Shane Lowry are in action this week, with the pair both opting against competing this week in either the Farmers Insurance Open or Bahrain Championship respectively.

Over on the PGA Tour Seamus Power begins his Farmers Insurance Open campaign, with the only other Irish golf player in action that of Padraig Harrington.

The three-time major winner is in action at the Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour, and has made a steady start to his tournament after an opening round of 71 (-1 par) at Royal Golf Club.

The back-to-back Open champion played some sensational golf in his opening 18-holes in Bahrain, and perhaps should and could have been a lot better off on the leaderboard if it weren’t for two bogies late in his round.

Spot the ball. @DPWorldTour #BahrainGolfChamps pic.twitter.com/7I6mzr6Jxv

— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) January 29, 2026

Harrington carded three birdies on his front nine with just one bogey, going out in 4 shots at -2 par. The Irishman then got himself to -3 with four holes to play, but carded disappointing bogies on the 15th hole and the final hole of Thursday too.

Although -1 par is still a strong start for the 15-time European Tour winner, it could have been a lot better. That being said, Harrington can take plenty of positives from his opening rounds action at Royal Golf Club in Bahrain.

With 54-holes left to play, Harrington is six shots off the pace. Alejandro del Rey and Freddy Schott are currently tied for the lead at -7 par after shooting impressive rounds of 65.

Given his wealth of experience and winning formula, Harrington remains firmly in the tournament and will be hoping for a round in the 60s on Friday to really push himself up the leaderboard and into real contention over the weekend.

https://twitter.com/SkySportsGolf/status/2014319721928093880

Padraig Harrington Closes In On 500th European Tour Start

It’s been a week to remember for Padraig Harrington, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on Monday. The Irishman has had a phenomenal career on the golf course, and his Hall of Fame recognition is undoubtedly deserved.

When accepting his award, the three-time major champion was truly humbled at being recognised for his commitments to golf, and admits it is humbling and also very satisfying:

“This is very exciting. It’s somewhat humbling. At this stage of my life, it gives me some validation to what I’ve done in golf.

“This is a deep-down satisfaction and I’m very proud to be included with the players before me,” Harrington said when collecting his award.

By the way next week Pádraig Harrington will hit the milestone of 500 starts on the European Tour! Incredible longevity @padraig_h

— PADRAIG HARRINGTON TRACKER (@PadraigHTracker) January 29, 2026

As well as now being a Hall of Fame golfer, Harrington is closing in on a monumental milestone on the European Tour too. The 15-time European Tour winner is now just one DP World Tour tournament away from 500 starts on the professional golf tour.

The Dubliner is still very much capable of winning on the DP World Tour, despite his best performances of late all coming in the seniors. Harrington won two senior majors last year, and is one of the standout performers over the age of 50 in professional golf today.

With Harrington in action this week on the rebranded DP World Tour in Bahrain, it marks his 499th appearance in a European Tour event. One more and the Irish golfing legend will hit the 500 mark, which not too many players in history have.

Although Harrington’s best years are undoubtedly behind him, there are still plenty of bright days ahead on the golf course too.