Nerve-wracking finish in Bahrain: Freddy Schott wins 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 remained thrilling until the last minute on the DP World Tour. In a tight contest between Scottish Calum Hill, American Patrick Reed, and German Freddy Schott, it was Schott who emerged victorious in a nerve-racking playoff on the final day. This victory marks Schott’s first on the DP World Tour. The player from Düsseldorf leapfrogged 94 spots to 9th place in the Race to Dubai standings.
Three-way tie heading into the final day
All three players finished Sunday’s final round 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, but incurred a bogey on hole 8. His back nine was solid though he had a double bogey on hole 11. Additional birdies and bogeys led to a three-under-par day.
American Patrick Reed carded a 67, five under par, with seven birdies and two bogeys, coming close to matching his best round of the tournament, a 66 on Saturday.
Scottish Calum Hill shot a 71, one under par, maintaining a strong leaderboard position thanks to his remarkable 61 on Friday. However, his competitors’ strong play on the final day closed the gap. Hill’s five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey were not enough for a solo victory at the Royal Golf Club.
DP World Tour: Dramatic playoff decision favors Freddy Schott
In the playoff, Freddy Schott started with a par on the 18th hole. Patrick Reed bogeyed with five strokes, while Calum Hill matched par. This led to a second playoff hole. Hill faltered with a seven on the par-4, conceding the win. Schott played even par and secured the tournament victory.
Spanish veteran Sergio García, who had led at various times, finished the day with a 68, sharing fourth place with New Zealander Daniel Hillier, both at 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. #BahrainGolfChamps pic.twitter.com/GhZCRaRR6v