In a thrilling playoff, Freddy Schott secures his first DP World Tour victory using only clubs from Ping.
Freddy Schott claimed his maiden DP World Tour win at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship 2026 after a tense playoff on the final day. After the second playoff hole against Scotland’s Callum Hill and American Patrick Reed, who also finished the tournament at -17, the 24-year-old from Düsseldorf secured his first major victory for Germany. Throughout his bag, Schott remains loyal to the renowned Japanese brand Ping.
Driving with a Mini Driver: The Secret Weapon
The newly crowned winner trusts a mini driver off the tee, similar to Marco Penge, who also recently adopted such a club. Schott’s driver is a prototype model from Ping, a Japanese manufacturer, which was added to the USGA conforming list in January 2026. Ping is among the few brands whose mini drivers are not yet commercially available and are currently used only by top players worldwide. Notable are the ‘Prototype’ marking on the sole and the adjustable weight port on the back. The adjustable hosel and the ‘Spinsistency’ lettering on the clubface complete this previously unseen model.
Freddy Schott also carries a Ping utility iron in his bag. Previously, depending on course conditions, he used a 2- or 3-iron from the Ping iCrossover series but was recently seen with the newly released Ping iDi utility iron. Introduced at the end of 2025, the iDi is embraced by various pros as a powerful long game iron combining advanced tech with compact shape, excellent feel, and control. It aims to maximize ball speed and stability, especially as a reliable option for tee shots or long approach shots.
Ping Blueprint-S for Control and Performance
For his regular irons (4-PW), Schott uses Ping Blueprint-S clubs, a setup he has played for about a year since their unveiling in early 2025. Prior to that, he used Ping i59 irons for two years. The Blueprint-S heads are forged from 8620 carbon steel with a thin topline, narrow sole, and matte satin chrome finish. This series is aimed at low-handicap golfers seeking irons that offer both excellent control and performance.
His wedges are also from Ping’s S259 family, featuring precision-milled MicroMax grooves on the clubface. The Hydropearl chrome finish enhances friction and spin, especially in wet conditions. These are successors to the well-known S159 wedges and have been available since early 2026.
Freddy Schott and His Crucial Playoff Putter
The final club in Schott’s bag is likewise from Ping, a brand famous since 1959 for its distinctive putting sound. He favors a traditional mallet design putter and has been seen with similar models before. His Ping PLD Ketsch Custom Putter was built to his specifications, offering precise roll and clear feedback. This putter helped Schott achieve the best putting statistics over four tournament days and ultimately guided him to victory in the playoff.
Notably, Schott’s ball choice differs: like many other touring pros, he plays the Titleist Pro V1.