Freddy Schott talks about nerves, mistakes, and relief after his first DP World Tour victory in Bahrain.
After winning the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, Freddy Schott struggled to find the right words. \”It still hasn’t fully sunk in. It will take some time, but it’s incredible,\” said the Düsseldorfer, who celebrated his first DP World Tour win on the Royal Golf Club, defeating Patrick Reed and Calum Hill in a dramatic playoff, marking the most important chapter in his career so far.
Freddy Schott: \”Nerves Hit Me on the Back Nine\”
The final round demanded everything from the German. \”It was tough, especially towards the end,\” Schott described. The start was \”okay\” as he played quite well with a good rhythm, but tension set in on the back nine: \”Of course, the nerves kicked in from there.\”
Nevertheless, Freddy Schott stayed composed. \”I was glad I managed it quite well — not perfect, but okay,\” he reflected. Imperfections showed especially on the 11th hole. After a missed eagle on the 10th, an unfortunate tee shot occurred: \”The plan was to aim six or seven meters right of the flag, but I pulled the shot. Pulled shots often go long.\” The ball landed \”very hot\” behind the green, and an ensuing chip failed. \”Two putts, just a dumb double bogey.\”
Birdies at the Right Time and a Shared Lead
Instead of letting the setback unsettle him, Schott made a conscious choice. \”We usually get a ride from 11 to 12, but I said: Okay, I won’t take the ride; I’ll walk to calm down and stay in the moment.\” He reminded himself of the essence of his sport: \”These are the moments you’re here for; this is why you play golf — so try to hit the gas and keep going.\”
He did exactly that. \”We played a beautiful shot on 12, a good birdie on 13,\” Schott reported, before it became all about \”just somehow getting it into the clubhouse\” in the final holes. Finishing at 17 under par, he shared the lead after 72 holes with Reed and Hill, resulting in an inevitable playoff. In the deciding playoff, Schott kept his nerve. Two playoff holes were enough to seal the win. Hill faltered, Reed was already out earlier — Schott remained flawless and completed his triumph with a par.
Caddie as an Anchor: \”We Talked About Everything Except Golf\”
A key role was played by his caddie. \”Luckily, I talked a lot with Taka,\” Schott said. \”He completely kept me away from all those thoughts. We talked about everything except golf — and that was great.\” His conclusion: \”He did an incredible job this week, and I couldn’t be happier to work with him.\”
The emotional moment after the last putt was almost indescribable. \”How I feel is beyond words. I have no words,\” Schott said