Nerve-wracking Bahrain finale: Freddy Schott wins a playoff against Reed and Hill, claiming his first DP World Tour victory and rising to 9th in Race to Dubai.
At the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain, the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour remained thrilling until the very last moment. In a tight battle between Scot Calum Hill, American Patrick Reed, and German Freddy Schott, Schott ultimately prevailed in a tense playoff on the final day. This victory marks Schott’s first DP World Tour win. The Düsseldorf native surged to 9th place in the Race to Dubai rankings, jumping 94 spots thanks to his triumph.
Trio shares the lead after final round
All three players finished Sunday at 17-under-par, tied at the top of the leaderboard. Schott improved by one stroke with his 69, highlighted by four birdies on the front nine, a bogey on hole 8, and a double bogey on 11, finishing with three birdies and one bogey on the back nine for 3-under on the day.
Patrick Reed carded a 67, five-under-par, with seven birdies and two bogeys, nearly matching his best round of 66 from the previous day.
Calum Hill shot a 71, one-under-par, maintaining a high leaderboard position thanks to his impressive 61 on Friday. However, his final round included five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey, not enough for an outright win at the Royal Golf Club.
DP World Tour: Dramatic playoff decision crowns Freddy Schott
The playoff began with Schott making par on the 18th hole. Reed bogeyed with five strokes, while Hill also made par with four strokes, forcing a second playoff hole. On the next par-4, Hill faltered with seven strokes, eliminating him. Schott secured the win with an even-par second playoff hole.
Spanish player Sergio García, who had led multiple times during the tournament, finished with a 68 on day four, tying for fourth with New Zealander Daniel Hillier, both at 16-under-par.
Other notable performances
Swiss golfer Joel Girrbach could not maintain his earlier strong form despite a promising start with birdie and eagle on holes 2 and 3. He ended the day with a 72 (even par), finishing tied 31st at nine-under-par.
German Nicolai von Dellingshausen struggled on the final day, scoring 74 (+2) and dropping to a tie for 41st at seven-under-par.