Nerve-wracking finish in Bahrain: Freddy Schott wins a playoff against Reed and Hill to claim his first DP World Tour title and rises to 9th in the Race to Dubai.
The Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain provided a suspenseful conclusion on the final day of the DP World Tour. In a tight battle among Scotsman Calum Hill, American Patrick Reed, and German Freddy Schott, it was Schott who ultimately prevailed in an intense playoff. This win marks Schott’s first triumph on the DP World Tour, propelling the Düsseldorf native up 94 spots to 9th place in the Race to Dubai standings.
Trio Tied for the Lead After Final Day
All three players finished Sunday tied at 17-under par atop the leaderboard. Schott improved by one stroke from the previous day with a 69, highlighted by four birdies on the front nine but marred by a bogey on the eighth hole. Despite a double bogey on hole 11, he recovered with three birdies and one additional bogey to close out at three-under par for the day.
American Patrick Reed posted a 67, five-under par, featuring seven birdies and two bogeys, narrowly missing matching his Saturday best of 66 strokes.
Scot Calum Hill carded a solid but less spectacular 71, one-under par. A strong 61 on Friday gave him a lead cushion, but his competitors caught up due to his struggles on Sunday, including a double bogey and two bogeys alongside five birdies, leaving him short of securing the title outright.
DP World Tour: Dramatic Playoff Victory for Freddy Schott
The playoff began with Schott making par on the 18th hole. Reed bogeyed with five strokes, while Hill matched par with four strokes, extending the playoff. On the second playoff hole, Hill faltered with a seven on the par-4, eliminating his chances, whereas Schott managed an even par to capture the championship.
Spanish player Sergio García, who had previously held the lead multiple times during the tournament, finished with a 68 on the final day, tying for fourth place alongside New Zealander Daniel Hillier, both ending 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
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) <