Nerve-wracking Bahrain showdown: Freddy Schott wins playoff against Reed and Hill, clinching 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 kept fans on edge until the very end. In a tight battle between Scottish player Calum Hill, American Patrick Reed, and German Freddy Schott, it was Schott who emerged victorious in a gripping playoff on the final day. This win marks Schott’s first triumph on the DP World Tour. His victory catapulted the Düsseldorf native up 94 places to 9th in the Race to Dubai rankings.
Trio shares the lead after final round
All three players finished the final Sunday tied at 17 under par at the top of the leaderboard. Freddy Schott improved on his previous day with a 69, featuring four birdies on the front nine but a bogey on hole 8. His back nine was steady overall despite a double bogey on hole 11, ultimately carding three birdies and another bogey for a 3-under round.
Patrick Reed posted a 67, five under par, with seven birdies and two bogeys, nearly matching his best round of the tournament, a 66 on Saturday.
Calum Hill had a modest 71 (-1) on the day but maintained a high leaderboard position thanks to his impressive 61 on Friday. Still, his final round included five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey, which was not enough to secure an outright win at Royal Golf Club.
DP World Tour: Freddy Schott prevails in dramatic playoff
The playoff began with Freddy Schott making par. Patrick Reed bogeyed with five strokes, while Calum Hill also made par. The 18th hole was replayed to continue the tense playoff. On the second playoff hole, Hill faltered with a seven on the par-4, ending his chances. Schott secured the win by carding even par, clinching the title.
Spanish golfer Sergio García, who held the lead several times during the tournament, finished the fourth round with a 68 and shared fourth place with 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