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 at the Royal Golf Club delivered an exciting finale on the DP World Tour. In a tight battle among Scot Calum Hill, American Patrick Reed, and German Freddy Schott, it was Schott who emerged victorious in a thrilling playoff on the final day. This win marks Schott’s first DP World Tour title and catapults the Düsseldorf native to 9th place in the Race to Dubai, climbing 94 spots.
Trio shares the lead after final round
All three players finished the final Sunday tied at 17 under par atop the leaderboard. Schott improved by a stroke from the previous day with a 69, highlighted by four birdies on the front nine but a bogey at hole 8. The back nine was steady despite a double bogey on hole 11, with three more birdies and another bogey tallying a three-under-par round.
Patrick Reed carded a 67, five under par, including seven birdies and two bogeys, nearly matching his best round of 66 from the prior day.
Calum Hill posted a solid but average round of 71 (one under par), maintaining a high position thanks to his impressive 61 score on Friday. Although he had a lead cushion, struggles on the final day allowed competitors to close in. Hill’s five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey weren’t enough to secure outright victory.
DP World Tour: Freddy Schott clinches dramatic playoff win
The playoff began with Schott making par, while Reed bogeyed with five strokes. Hill also made par with four strokes, forcing a second playoff hole. On the second playoff hole, Hill shot a seven and fell out of contention after a challenging par-4. Schott held steady with even par to seal the championship.
Spanish star Sergio García, who held the lead multiple times during the tournament, finished the final day with a 68 and tied for fourth place alongside New Zealander Daniel Hillier, both finishing 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— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour)