Nerve-wracking finish in Bahrain: Freddy Schott wins a playoff against Reed and Hill, securing his first DP World Tour title and climbing to 9th in the Race to Dubai.
At the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain, the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship of the DP World Tour kept spectators on the edge until the very last moment. In a tight contest among Scot Calum Hill, American Patrick Reed, and German Freddy Schott, it was Schott who emerged as the winner after a tense playoff on the final day. This victory marks Schott’s first triumph on the DP World Tour. The Düsseldorf native catapults up 94 places to 9th in the Race to Dubai standings following his success.
Trio Shares Lead After Final Round
All three players finished Sunday tied atop the leaderboard at 17 under par. Freddy Schott improved by one stroke from the previous day, carding a 69. He dazzled with four birdies on the front nine but dropped a bogey at hole 8. His back nine was steady overall, despite a double bogey at hole 11. Three more birdies and another bogey led to his three-under-par round.
American Patrick Reed shot a 67, five under par, featuring seven birdies and two bogeys. This round nearly matched his best of the tournament, a 66 on Saturday.
Scot Calum Hill posted a solid 71, one under par, to maintain a high leaderboard position. Despite an excellent 61 on Friday, his weaker final round allowed rivals to close in. Hill’s day included five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey, not enough to clinch outright victory.
DP World Tour: Dramatic Playoff Decision Sees Freddy Schott Triumph
The playoff opened with Schott making par. Patrick Reed bogeyed with five strokes, while Hill matched Schott’s par with four strokes, forcing a continuation to the 18th hole. On the second playoff hole, Hill faltered with seven strokes on the par-4, ending his chances, while Schott held steady with even par to secure the win.
Spanish player Sergio García, who led the leaderboard multiple times during the tournament, finished the final day with a 68 and tied for fourth place alongside New Zealander Daniel Hillier, both 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