Nerve-wracking finish in Bahrain: 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.
The Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship on the Royal Golf Club course in Bahrain kept fans on edge until the last minute. In a fierce head-to-head duel between Scotsman Calum Hill, American Patrick Reed, and German Freddy Schott, the German emerged victorious in a thrilling playoff on the final day. This marks Schott’s maiden triumph on the DP World Tour. His win catapults the Düsseldorf native up to 9th place in the Race to Dubai standings, jumping 94 spots.
Trio shares lead after final round
All three players finished Sunday tied at 17 under par atop the leaderboard. Freddy Schott improved by one stroke from the previous day with a 69. He shined with four birdies on the front nine, despite a bogey at the 8th hole. His back nine was solid overall, although a double bogey at 11 put some pressure on him. Three more birdies and another bogey led to a final round of three under par.
American Patrick Reed carded a 67, five under par, with seven birdies and two bogeys. This near matched his prior best round of 66 on Saturday.
Scot Calum Hill posted a modest 71, one under par, yet remained near the top thanks to his impressive 61 on Friday. However, his competitors capitalized on his final-round struggles, finishing just behind him with five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey, falling short of a solo victory.
DP World Tour: Dramatic playoff decision in favor of Freddy Schott
In the playoff, Schott started by parring the hole. Reed made a bogey with five strokes, while Hill matched Schott with a par on the 18th hole, prompting a second playoff hole. On the next hole, Hill faltered with a seven on the par-4, ending his chances. Schott secured a par to clinch the championship.
Spanish golfer Sergio García, who had led several times during the event, finished day four with a 68 and tied for fourth place along with New Zealander Daniel Hillier, both ending 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. #BahrainGolf