GOLF – GERMANY’S Freddy Schott expressed high praise for Bahrain following his maiden DP World Tour title triumph in the 2026 Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, which came to a dramatic close on Sunday at Royal Golf Club.
Speaking after receiving his champion’s trophy from His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Schott told the GDN that he enjoyed being a part of the kingdom’s golf spectacle, in which he was competing in for the second time in its three editions.
“I think it’s amazing – seeing the event on TV, it’s absolutely incredible,” Schott told the GDN.
“It’s such an interesting country to be at and to play golf at, of course, so I’m just very very grateful that His Royal Highness (Prince Salman) makes this happen, and Bapco Energies is in here.
“I hope I can come back many more years.”
Schott captured his historic crown and nearly $500,000 in prize money following a hugely exciting play-off that needed to go to a second hole.
The German also climbed to 195th on the Official World Golf Ranking from 436th following his thrilling comeback from two shots down to begin the final round, which he wrapped up by overcoming the tough challenges of Scotsman Calum Hill and American Patrick Reed in the additional go-arounds on the par-four 18th.
“I’m still overwhelmed, speechless in certain ways,” the 24-year-old told the GDN just moments after the tournament’s awards presentation and closing ceremony.
“It was a tough week, but I had so much fun this whole week, and this is the cherry on the cake.
“I didn’t approach the final round in a different way than yesterday, simply because, after Friday, (Hill) was four shots clear of me, so I knew it would most likely be a two-day thing anyways.
“I just tried to stay with me and not think about what happens with him too much.”
Schott joined South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli and England’s Laurie Canter as title winners in the kingdom’s most prestigious golf event, which was held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad.
Schott also played in the Bahrain Championship in the 2024 event, when he missed the cut and finished tied-75th with rounds of 70 and 75.
His triumph this year came in his 91st start in a DP World Tour event, with his previous best result being a share of fifth at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open in December of 2024. He moved to ninth on the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai Rankings on 638.20 points.
The 2026 Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship attracted a record crowd of 13,186 – up by 30 per cent as compared to 2025 when the event brought in 10,237 fans to Royal Golf Club.
During this year’s event, it was announced that a 10-year agreement was signed between the Bahrain Olympic Committee and the DP World Tour to keep the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour calendar until at least 2036. The tournament will also remain at Royal Golf Club for 2027 and 2028.
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