Nerve-wracking drama in Bahrain as Freddy Schott wins a playoff against Reed and Hill, securing his first DP World Tour victory and rising to ninth in the Race to Dubai.
The Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain on the DP World Tour kept fans on edge until the final moments. In a thrilling battle among Scotsman Calum Hill, American Patrick Reed, and German player Freddy Schott, it was Schott who ultimately triumphed in a gripping playoff on the final day. This victory marks Schott’s first DP World Tour win and catapults the Düsseldorf native to ninth place in the Race to Dubai standings, climbing 94 positions.
Trio Shares 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 his game with a 69, one stroke better than the previous day. He dazzled with four birdies on the front nine but suffered a bogey on hole 8. Despite a double bogey on hole 11, he added three more birdies and one more bogey to end the day three under par.
American Patrick Reed shot a 67, five under par, with seven birdies and two bogeys on his card. This nearly matched his best previous round of 66 on Saturday.
Scot Calum Hill recorded a 71, one under par, which was enough to keep him near the top. His earlier 61 on Friday had given him a buffer, but his competitors closed in on the final day with five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey, ultimately missing out on an outright win.
DP World Tour: Freddy Schott Clinches Victory in Dramatic Playoff
Freddy Schott opened the playoff with a par on the 18th hole. Patrick Reed bogeyed with five strokes, while Calum Hill also made par, sending the playoff into a second round. In the second playoff hole, Hill faltered with a seven on the par-4, eliminating him from contention. Schott maintained even par to seal the tournament win.
Spanish star Sergio García, who led the leaderboard multiple times during the tournament, finished the day with a 68 and tied for fourth place alongside New Zealander Daniel Hillier, both finishing 16 under par overall.
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