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 the Race to Dubai.
At the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain, the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour remained thrilling until the last moment. In a tight contest among Scot Calum Hill, American Patrick Reed, and German Freddy Schott, it was Schott who ultimately prevailed in a nerve-racking playoff on the final day. This victory marks Schott’s maiden DP World Tour triumph. The Düsseldorf native’s success catapulted him up 94 places to 9th on the Race to Dubai leaderboard.
Trio shares the lead entering final day
All three finished the final Sunday tied at 17-under par atop the leaderboard. Schott improved by one stroke from the previous day with a 69. He shined with four birdies on the front nine but had a bogey on hole 8. Though he posted a double bogey on hole 11, three more birdies and another bogey on the back nine resulted in a 3-under-par round.
American Patrick Reed shot a 67, five under par, with seven birdies and two bogeys, closely matching his best round of 66 from Saturday.
Calum Hill posted a 71, one under par, and remained near the top thanks to his impressive 61 on Friday. Despite five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey on the final day, Hill could not secure an outright win at the Royal Golf Club.
DP World Tour: Dramatic playoff decision favours Freddy Schott
In the playoff, Schott started strong with a par. Reed bogeyed the first playoff hole after taking five strokes. Hill also made par with four strokes, pushing the duel back to the 18th hole. On the second playoff hole, Hill struggled with a seven on the par-4, ending his chance. Schott maintained even par to clinch the tournament victory.
Spanish player Sergio García, who led multiple times during the tournament, finished the day with a 68 and tied for fourth place with New Zealander Daniel Hillier, both at 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— DP World Tour (@DP