Nerve-wracking Bahrain finish: Freddy Schott wins the playoff against Reed and Hill, celebrating 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 in Bahrain on the DP World Tour was thrilling until the very end. In a strong head-to-head battle among Scot Calum Hill, American Patrick Reed, and German Freddy Schott, the final day concluded with a tense playoff won by Freddy Schott. This triumph marks Schott’s first DP World Tour victory, catapulting the Düsseldorf native to 9th place in the Race to Dubai rankings, jumping 94 spots.
Trio shares the lead after final round
All three players finished the final Sunday tied at 17 under par atop the leaderboard. Freddy Schott improved on his previous day with a 69, featuring four birdies on the front nine but a bogey on the 8th hole. His back nine was solid overall despite a double bogey on the 11th hole. Three more birdies and one bogey led to a three-under-par round.
American Patrick Reed carded a 67, five under par, with seven birdies and two bogeys, nearly matching his best round of 66 from Saturday.
Scot Calum Hill recorded an average 71, one under par, maintaining his high leaderboard position due to his stellar 61 on Friday. However, his final day struggles allowed competitors to close in. Despite five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey, Hill could not secure a direct victory at the Royal Golf Club.
DP World Tour: Freddy Schott triumphs in dramatic playoff
In the playoff, Freddy Schott started with a par on the 18th hole. Patrick Reed bogeyed with five strokes, while Calum Hill matched par again, leading to a second playoff hole. There, Hill faltered with a seven on the par-4, falling out of contention. Schott held steady with an even-par, clinching the win.
Spanish golfer Sergio García, who led the leaderboard multiple times, finished day four with a 68, tying for fourth 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
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) <