Nerve-wracking Bahrain finish: Freddy Schott wins in a playoff against Reed and Hill, claiming 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 last moment. In a fierce battle between Scotland’s Calum Hill, American Patrick Reed, and German Freddy Schott, it was Schott who emerged victorious in a thrilling final day playoff. This 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 Shares the Lead After Final Round
All three players finished Sunday tied at 17 under par atop the leaderboard. Freddy Schott improved by one shot compared to the previous day, posting a 69. He shone on the front nine with four birdies but suffered a bogey on the eighth hole. The back nine was steady overall despite a double bogey at hole 11, finishing the day three strokes under par with three more birdies and another bogey.
Patrick Reed carded a 67, five under par, including seven birdies and two bogeys, narrowly missing his best round of the tournament which was a 66 on Saturday. Meanwhile, Calum Hill scored a solid 71, one under par, relying on his impressive 61 on Friday to maintain a high position. Hill’s final day included five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey, which was not enough to secure outright victory.
DP World Tour: Freddy Schott Wins Dramatic Playoff
The playoff began with Schott making par on the 18th hole. Reed bogeyed with five strokes, while Hill also made par with four strokes, extending the playoff. On the second playoff hole, Hill faltered with a seven on the par-4 and was eliminated. Schott secured the title by playing even par again, clinching the tournament win.
Spanish golfer Sergio García, who had led at various stages, finished the day with a 68 and tied for fourth place with New Zealander Daniel Hillier, both ending at 16 under par.
Other Notable Performances
Swiss player Joel Girrbach could not maintain his strong form from earlier rounds. Despite a promising start with a birdie at hole 2 and an eagle at hole 3, Girrbach fell back with bogeys on holes 8, 11, 15, and 17, finishing with an even-par 72 and placing tied 31st at nine under overall.
Fellow German Nicolai von Dellingshausen struggled on the final day, shooting a 74 with just one birdie against three bogeys and finishing tied 41st at seven under par after dropping 23 places.