Nerve-wracking finale in Bahrain: Freddy Schott claims first DP World Tour victory in a playoff against Reed and Hill, climbing to 9th in Race to Dubai.
At the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain, the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour held an exciting finish until the very last moment. In a fierce battle between Scotsman Calum Hill, American Patrick Reed, and German Freddy Schott, it was Schott who emerged victorious in a tense playoff on the final day. This win marks Schott’s first triumph on the DP World Tour. The Düsseldorf native jumps to 9th place in the Race to Dubai standings, climbing 94 spots thanks to his success.
Trio shares the lead after final round
All three players finished Sunday at 17 under par, tied at the top of the leaderboard. Freddy Schott improved by one shot from the previous day with a 69. He started strong with four birdies on the front nine but dropped a bogey at hole 8. His back nine was steady, despite a double bogey on hole 11. Three more birdies and another bogey rounded out a three-under par round.
American Patrick Reed posted a 67, five under par, with seven birdies and two bogeys, coming close to his best round of 66 from Saturday.
Scot Calum Hill carded an even-par 71, which was solid enough to keep him near the top. Thanks to a 61 on Friday, Hill held a slight lead, but his rivals closed the gap on the final day. His five birdies, two bogeys, and one double bogey weren’t enough to secure an outright win at the Royal Golf Club.
DP World Tour: Freddy Schott prevails in dramatic playoff
The playoff began with Freddy Schott making par on the 18th hole. Patrick Reed bogeyed with five strokes, while Calum Hill made par with four strokes, forcing a second playoff hole. On the second playoff hole, Hill took seven strokes on the par-4 and conceded the win. Freddy Schott parred again, clinching the tournament victory.
Spain’s Sergio García, who led the leaderboard multiple times during the tournament, finished the final round with a 68, tying for 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