Nerve-wracking finish in Bahrain: Freddy Schott wins the playoff against Reed and Hill, claiming his first DP World Tour victory and climbing to 9th in the Race to Dubai.
At the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain, the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour remained tense until the final moment. In a fierce head-to-head competition between Scotsman Calum Hill, American Patrick Reed, and German Freddy Schott, it was Schott who ultimately prevailed in an intense playoff on the final day. This victory marks Schott’s first triumph on the DP World Tour. His success catapults the Düsseldorf native up 94 places to 9th in the Race to Dubai rankings.
Trio Shares Lead After Final Round
All three players finished Sunday tied at 17-under-par at the top of the leaderboard. Freddy Schott improved by one stroke compared to the previous day with a 69. He shined on the front nine with four birdies but fell back with a bogey on the 8th hole. His back nine was solid overall, despite a double bogey on the 11th hole; three additional birdies and one more bogey led to a three-under-par round.
American Patrick Reed carded a 67, five under par, including seven birdies and two bogeys, nearly matching his previous best round of 66 on Saturday.
Scot Calum Hill managed a steady 71, one under par, securing a high position on the leaderboard thanks to a remarkable 61 on Friday. However, his competitors closed in on the final day as he struggled with five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey, which was insufficient for an outright victory.
DP World Tour: Freddy Schott Clinches Win in Dramatic Playoff
The playoff began with Schott making par. Reed bogeyed the hole with five strokes. Hill matched Schott’s par with four strokes, forcing a second playoff hole. On the second hole, Hill stumbled with a seven, missing the win, while Schott secured even par to claim the title.
Spanish golfer Sergio García, who led multiple times during the tournament, finished the day with a 68 and tied for fourth place alongside New Zealander Daniel Hillier, both finishing at 16-under-par.
The moment Freddy Schott became a winner on Tour 🙌
He beat Calum Hill on the second play-off hole as the Scotsman conceded after going out of bounds off the tee and then into the water with his fourth shot. #BahrainGolfChamps pic.twitter.com/GhZCRaRR6v