Nerve-wracking finish in Bahrain: Freddy Schott wins the playoff against Reed and Hill to claim his first DP World Tour victory and climbs 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 minute. In a fierce head-to-head battle between Scotsman Calum Hill, American Patrick Reed, and German player Freddy Schott, it was ultimately Schott who prevailed in a nerve-wracking playoff on the final day. This win marks Schott’s first triumph on the DP World Tour and propels the Düsseldorf native to 9th place in the Race to Dubai standings, jumping 94 positions.
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 compared to the previous day, carding a 69. He shone on the front nine with four birdies but made a bogey on the 8th hole. His back nine was steady despite a double bogey at the 11th hole, alongside three birdies and another bogey, finishing the day three under par.
American Patrick Reed posted a 67, five under par, with seven birdies and two bogeys, closely matching his best round from Saturday, which was a 66.
Scottish Calum Hill recorded a 71, one under par, maintaining a high position on the leaderboard. His earlier 61 on Friday had given him a cushion, but his rivals capitalized on his final round struggles. Despite five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey, Hill fell short of securing a solo victory.
DP World Tour: Dramatic Playoff Decision for Freddy Schott
The playoff began with Schott making par. Patrick Reed bogeyed with five strokes, and Calum Hill also made par with four strokes, sending the contest back to the 18th hole. On the second playoff hole, Hill scored seven on the par-4, effectively ending his chances. Schott completed the hole with even par, claiming the tournament win.
Spanish player Sergio García, who had held the lead multiple times during the event, finished the day with a 68, tying for fourth place alongside 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