Nerve-wracking Bahrain showdown: Freddy Schott secures his first DP World Tour victory in a playoff against Reed and Hill, climbing 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 intensely competitive until the final moments. In a fierce showdown among Scotsman Calum Hill, American Patrick Reed, and German Freddy Schott, it was Schott who triumphed in a nerve-wracking playoff on the last day. This victory marks Schott’s first DP World Tour win. The Düsseldorf native catapults up 94 spots to 9th place in the Race to Dubai rankings due to his success.
Trio Shares Lead After Final Round
All three players finished Sunday tied at 17 under par atop the leaderboard. Freddy Schott improved his score from the previous day with a 69, highlighted by four birdies on the front nine but marred by a bogey on the 8th hole. His back nine was steady, despite a double bogey on the 11th, ending with three birdies and another bogey for a total of three under par on the day.
American Patrick Reed carded a 67, five under par, with seven birdies and two bogeys, closely matching his best round from Saturday, when he shot 66.
Scottish player Calum Hill managed a one-under 71, maintaining a high position on the leaderboard due to his exceptional 61 round on Friday. However, his competitors capitalized on his weaker final round, leaving Hill just short of a solo victory despite five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey.
DP World Tour: Dramatic Playoff Decision for Freddy Schott
In the playoff, Freddy Schott opened with a par, while Patrick Reed bogeyed with five strokes. Calum Hill also made par with four strokes, forcing a return to the 18th hole. On the second playoff hole, Hill’s seven on the par-4 ended his chances as he conceded defeat. Schott’s even-par performance secured his maiden DP World Tour title.
Spanish veteran Sergio García, who led the leaderboard multiple times during the tournament, finished with a 68 on the final day, sharing fourth place with New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier, both at 16 under par.
Girrbach and von Dellingshausen Falter on Final Day
Swiss player Joel Girrbach could not replicate his earlier strong performances, starting well with a birdie on the 2nd and an eagle on the 3rd. However, subsequent bogeys on holes 8, 11, 15, and 17, along with only one more birdie, resulted in an even-par 72. He ended tied for 31st at nine under par.
German Nicolai von Dellingshausen struggled on the last day, shooting 74 with just one birdie and three bogeys, finishing tied 41st at seven under par after dropping 23 spots on the leaderboard.