Freddy Schott has secured his first DP World Tour title following a gripping play-off at the $2.75 million Bahrain Championship. He triumphed over Calum Hill and Patrick Reed after the trio finished the tournament at 17 under par, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion.
In the final round, Schott shot a 69, culminating in a total score of 271 across the event. His consistent performance throughout the tournament, with rounds of 65, 67, 70, and 69, showcased his skill and composure under pressure. Patrick Reed made a significant comeback on Sunday, posting a late 67 to erase a four-shot deficit that he had faced at the start of the day.
The play-off was dramatic and intense. Reed bogeyed the first hole, effectively eliminating himself from contention. Hill faced difficulties on the second extra hole, hitting out of bounds and subsequently sending his fourth shot into the water, allowing Schott to claim victory without needing to putt.
Upon receiving the trophy from His Royal Highness Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Schott expressed his disbelief and joy: “I have no idea. It’s just amazing… I’m just extremely happy, surprised.” The experience was particularly meaningful for him, as winning this way added a special touch to his achievement.
During the regular rounds, Hill had performed impressively, even equaling the course record with a 61 in the second round. He began the final day with a birdie that extended his lead. Schott quickly matched Hill’s performance, and they continued to exchange birdies throughout the round. However, Hill’s double-bogey on the 11th hole created a turning point, bringing both players back to even.
The final hole saw continued tension, with both Hill and Reed pushing for the lead. While Reed set a new clubhouse target of 17 under, Hill miscalculated his approach shot on the 18th, which allowed Schott to save par and force the play-off after both players initially tied.
Ultimately, Schott demonstrated remarkable poise during the play-off, successfully navigating the course while Hill and Reed stumbled. This victory marks a significant milestone in Schott’s career on the DP World Tour.
In terms of leaderboard standings, Hill and Reed shared second place, with notable performances from Sergio Garcia and Daniel Hillier, who finished tied for fourth. Ugo Coussaud from France rounded out the top six.
As for the Race to Dubai Rankings for the 2025–26 season, Jaydan Schaper currently leads by a narrow margin, with Patrick Reed closely trailing and Andy Sullivan in third place. Overall, the Bahrain Championship showcased thrilling golf and marked an important moment in Schott’s burgeoning career.
Final Results (Par 72, 7,347 Yards)
- F. Schott (GER) 65, 67, 70, 69 – 271 (won on second play-off hole)
- C. Hill (SCO) 67, 61, 72, 71 – 271
- P. Reed (US) 71, 67, 66, 67 – 271
- S. Garcia (ESP) 70, 66, 68, 68 – 272
- D. Hillier (NZ) 66, 70, 70, 66 – 272