Nerve-wracking Bahrain finish: Freddy Schott wins a playoff against Reed and Hill, claiming his first DP World Tour victory and rising to 9th in Race to Dubai.
The Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship on the Royal Golf Club course remained tense until the very last moment on the DP World Tour. In a tight contest between Scot Calum Hill, American Patrick Reed, and German Freddy Schott, it was the German who ultimately triumphed in a nerve-wracking playoff on the final day. This win marks Freddy Schott’s first title on the DP World Tour. His victory catapults the Düsseldorf native 94 places up to 9th in the Race to Dubai standings.
Trio shares the lead after final round
All three players finished the final Sunday at 17 under par, sharing the top spot on the leaderboard. Freddy Schott improved by one shot from the previous day with a 69. He shined on the front nine with four birdies but dropped a bogey on the 8th hole. His back nine was solid overall despite a double bogey on the 11th. Three more birdies and a bogey led to a round of three under par.
American Patrick Reed carded a 67, five under par, with seven birdies and two bogeys. This performance was close to his best round of 66 from the previous Saturday.
Scottish player Calum Hill posted a 71, one under par, securing a high position on the leaderboard. Thanks to an outstanding 61 on Friday, Hill had a lead cushion, but his rivals caught up on the last day. His five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey weren’t enough for an outright win at the Royal Golf Club.
DP World Tour: Dramatic playoff decision in favor of Freddy Schott
In the playoff, Freddy Schott started with a par. Patrick Reed scored a bogey with five strokes, while Calum Hill matched Schott’s par with four strokes, sending the playoff back to the 18th hole. On the second playoff hole, Hill struggled with seven strokes on the par-4, losing his chance to win. Freddy Schott finished with even par and claimed the title.
Spanish golfer Sergio García, who held the leaderboard lead multiple times during the tournament, finished the final day with a 68 and tied for fourth place alongside New Zealander Daniel Hillier, who also finished at 16 under par.
Other notable performances
Swiss player Joel Girrbach could not replicate his strong previous rounds despite a promising start with a birdie on the 2nd hole and an eagle on the 3rd. After a bogey on the 8th and further bogeys on the 11th, 15th, and 17th, he closed with a 72 and even par for the round, ending tied 31st at nine under par overall.
German Nicolai von Dellingshausen struggled on the final day with a 74, including just one birdie and three bogeys,