Calum Hill Holds Lead As Bahrain Championship Drama Builds

Calum Hill is poised at the summit of the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, holding a slender but significant two-shot lead as the tournament barrels toward an electrifying final round at the Royal Golf Club in Al Mazrowiah, Bahrain. The Scot, who began the third round with a four-stroke cushion, weathered a stormy start on Saturday, only to steady the ship and finish with a level-par 72, keeping his hopes alive for a third DP World Tour title.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Hill. The Royal Golf Club’s notorious desert layout, peppered with cunning water hazards and slick, fast greens, claimed its share of victims on moving day—and Hill was no exception. Early bogeys threatened to derail his charge, as German challenger Freddy Schott surged ahead, briefly taking a two-shot lead by the turn. Yet, Hill’s resilience shone through. Back-to-back birdies at the 14th and 15th holes helped him claw back to even par for the day and maintain his overall score at 16 under par for the week.

“I know the lead has slightly diminished but I didn’t want to beat myself. I feel like now I’ve got back to par it’s not the end of the world,” Hill reflected after his round, according to DP World Tour. His calm under pressure has become a hallmark of his burgeoning career, and it’s exactly what’s kept him in pole position as Sunday’s final round looms.

Schott, for his part, experienced a rollercoaster of a round. The 24-year-old German fired four birdies on the front nine, capitalizing on Hill’s early stumbles. However, the back nine told a different story. Mixing a birdie with three dropped shots, Schott ultimately signed for a two under par 70—good enough to remain just two shots adrift of Hill, and very much in the hunt for what would be a breakthrough DP World Tour victory.

While Hill and Schott have dominated the headlines, Saturday’s action also saw the resurgence of some of golf’s most recognizable names. Patrick Reed, fresh off a win at last week’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic, stormed up the leaderboard with a joint low-round-of-the-day 66. Reed’s round was a masterclass in aggressive, calculated play: four birdies in his opening six holes, an eagle at the par-five 13th, and a steady finish that left him at 12 under par—just four shots behind the leader.

Reed’s recent decision to leave LIV Golf and set his sights on a return to the PGA Tour has only added intrigue to his presence in Bahrain. “Are you going to be the hunted or the hunter?” Reed mused after his round, as quoted in international coverage. “Looks like I’m going to be the hunter tomorrow.” The American, now ranked No. 29 in the world following his Dubai triumph, is committed to playing a full European tour schedule, including next week’s Qatar Masters, in a bid to secure one of the coveted top 10 spots in the Race to Dubai—and with it, a pathway back to PGA Tour status.

Sharing third place with Reed are Scotland’s Grant Forrest and Spain’s Sergio Garcia, both sitting at 204 strokes. Forrest put together an impressive 67, highlighted by six birdies and just a single bogey, while Garcia carded a four under par 68, thanks in part to five birdies—including a dazzling run of three consecutive birdies starting at the ninth. Garcia’s only blemish came at the 16th, but his steady play throughout the week has kept him firmly in contention.

“The course is playing tough, especially with the wind and those tricky water hazards,” Garcia remarked after his round. “You have to stay patient and pick your moments. I’m happy with where I am heading into the final day.”

The international flavor of the leaderboard is unmistakable. Spain’s Nacho Elvira and Jorge Campillo, Sweden’s Mikael Lindberg, and England’s Ben Schmidt all sit at 11 under par, forming a formidable chasing pack. Just one shot further back, a logjam of eight players are tied for tenth at 10 under, underscoring the depth and quality of the field assembled in Bahrain this week.

Royal Golf Club’s unique desert challenge has truly separated the contenders from the rest. The course’s fast greens and strategically placed hazards have demanded precision and nerve from the world’s best, and the leaderboard reflects those who have been able to adapt. The Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, a key fixture on the DP World Tour, consistently attracts a strong international field, and this year’s edition is no exception.

As the tournament heads into its final day, all eyes remain fixed on Hill. The Scot, who honed his game at Texas Tech before making his mark on the European stage, has shown he has both the technical skill and mental fortitude to handle the heat—both literal and metaphorical—of a DP World Tour weekend in the desert. But with Schott breathing down his neck and proven winners like Reed and Garcia lurking just a few shots back, the outcome is anything but certain.

Hill’s strong finish on moving day sets an intriguing stage for Sunday. He’ll need every ounce of composure and focus to fend off a determined field, many of whom have tasted big-stage success before. Reed, in particular, has made it clear he’s relishing the role of chaser, while Schott’s youthful hunger and Garcia’s experience ensure that no lead is safe until the final putt drops.

Fans and followers of the DP World Tour can expect a dramatic conclusion as the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship reaches its climax. With so much at stake—not just the title, but valuable Race to Dubai points and, for some, a pathway to the PGA Tour—the tension is palpable. Will Hill hold his nerve and claim a third DP World Tour crown, or will one of golf’s seasoned stars or hungry newcomers steal the spotlight?

As Sunday dawns over the Royal Golf Club, anticipation couldn’t be higher. The leaderboard is stacked, the pressure is mounting, and the desert winds are sure to play their part. One thing’s for sure: the final round promises high drama, fierce competition, and, perhaps, a career-defining moment for whoever emerges victorious.