Nerve-wracking Bahrain thriller: Freddy Schott wins playoff against Reed and Hill, celebrates first DP World Tour victory, climbs to 9th in Race to Dubai.
The Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain on the DP World Tour remained tense until the very last moment. In a fierce battle on the final day involving Scotsman Calum Hill, American Patrick Reed, and German Freddy Schott, it was Schott who ultimately prevailed in a nerve-racking playoff. This marks Schott’s first triumph on the DP World Tour and propels the Düsseldorf native up 94 places to 9th in the Race to Dubai rankings.
Trio Shares the Lead After Final Day
All three players finished Sunday tied at 17 under par atop the scoreboard. Schott improved on his previous day’s score with a 69, highlighted by four birdies on the front nine despite a bogey on hole 8. His back nine was steady though marred by a double bogey on hole 11, finishing with three birdies and one bogey for a 3-under-par round.
American Patrick Reed carded a 67, five under par, featuring seven birdies against two bogeys, nearly matching his best round of 66 from the previous day.
Calum Hill recorded a solid 71, one under par, remaining high on the leaderboard thanks to his exceptional 61 on Friday. However, five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey on the final day were not enough for a solo victory at Royal Golf Club.
DP World Tour: Dramatic Playoff Decides Bahrain Championship
The playoff began with Schott scoring a par, Reed bogeying with five strokes, and Hill also parring with four strokes, forcing a second 18th hole playoff. On the second playoff hole, Hill faltered with a seven on the par-4 and was eliminated. Schott played even par once again, clinching the title.
Spanish golfer Sergio García, who had multiple leads during the tournament, finished the final day with a 68 and tied for fourth place alongside New Zealander Daniel Hillier, who also finished at 16 under par.
Other Notable Performances
Swiss Joel Girrbach could not replicate his earlier strong performances, ending with an even-par 72 and finishing 31st at nine under overall. Similarly, German Nicolai von Dellingshausen struggled on the final day with a 74, finishing tied 41st at seven 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