Nerve-wracking Bahrain finish: Freddy Schott wins playoff against Reed and Hill, celebrates first DP World Tour victory and jumps to 9th in Race to Dubai.
The Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain delivered excitement until the very last moment on the DP World Tour. In a tight battle among Scotsman Calum Hill, American Patrick Reed, and German player Freddy Schott, it was Schott who emerged victorious in a thrilling final-day playoff. This marks Schott’s first triumph on the DP World Tour. His victory catapults the Düsseldorf native to 9th place in the Race to Dubai standings, climbing 94 spots.
Trio shares lead after final round
All three players finished Sunday at 17-under par sharing the top of the leaderboard. Freddy Schott improved by one stroke from the previous day with a 69. He shined on the front nine with four birdies, although he took a bogey on hole 8. His back nine was steady despite a double bogey on hole 11. Additional three birdies and a bogey brought his day score to 3-under par.
American Patrick Reed shot a 67 with five-under par, carding seven birdies and two bogeys. This effort neared his best round from Saturday, where he recorded 66 strokes.
Scot Calum Hill recorded a 71, one-under par round, maintaining a high position on the leaderboard. Thanks to his impressive 61 on Friday, Hill had a cushion, yet his competitors closed in during the final day. His five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey were not enough for a clear victory at Royal Golf Club.
DP World Tour: Dramatic playoff decision for Freddy Schott
The playoff began with Freddy Schott making a par. Patrick Reed bogeyed with five strokes, while Calum Hill matched Schott’s par with four strokes, forcing another hole. On the second playoff hole, Hill faltered with seven strokes on the par-4 and conceded the win. Schott maintained even par and secured the title.
Spanish player Sergio García, who led the leaderboard multiple times during the tournament, finished the final day with a 68, sharing fourth place with New Zealander Daniel Hillier, both finishing at 16-under par.
Other notable performances
Swiss Joel Girrbach, despite a promising start with a birdie and eagle, could not maintain momentum and carded an even-par 72. He finished tied 31st at nine-under par, dropping 13 places.
German Nicolai von Dellingshausen struggled as well, finishing with a 74, two-over par round, ending tied 41st at seven-under par.