Germany's Freddy Schott secured his maiden DP World Tour victory at the Bahrain Championship, edging out Patrick Reed and Calum Hill in a dramatic three-man playoff. The 24-year-old, ranked No. 436, overcame nerves to win on the second extra hole after Reed was eliminated early. Schott's triumph came after all three finished regulation at 17-under par.
The Bahrain Championship concluded on February 1, 2026, at Royal Golf Club in Al Mazrowiah, Bahrain, with Freddy Schott emerging victorious in a thrilling playoff. Schott, who turned professional five years ago, started the final round two shots behind leader Calum Hill but carded a 69, including a bogey on the 17th, to reach 17-under 271 and force extra holes.
Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters champion, mounted a stunning comeback after trailing by 10 shots entering the weekend. He fired a 66 on Saturday and a 67 on Sunday, tying for the lead after birdies on holes 12-14 before a bogey on the 16th. Reed posted 17 under but bogeyed the first playoff hole—the par-4 18th—after finding a bunker off the tee, settling for second place.
Hill, who led after the second and third rounds, played his final round in 71 with a three-putt bogey on 18 to join the playoff. On the second extra hole, Hill's tee shot went out of bounds, followed by a shank into water on his fourth shot, leading him to concede to Schott, who had reached the green in three and made par.
"It's just amazing. I haven't realised anything at all yet. I'm just extremely happy, surprised. I don't know what's happening right now!" Schott said, adding, "I just stayed in the moment and hit the shots as best as I could."
Reed's runner-up finish bolstered his No. 2 position in the Race to Dubai standings, now 67 points behind leader Jayden Schaper. The American, who recently won the Dubai Desert Classic and left LIV Golf, is pursuing a full PGA Tour return by finishing in the top 10 non-PGA members. He accepted a one-year suspension until January 1, 2027, but aims to earn playing privileges sooner. Sergio Garcia and Daniel Hillier tied for fourth at 16 under.
Schott earned $1,530,000 from the $4,675,000 purse and 585 Race to Dubai points, marking a breakthrough in his career.
