In a thrilling playoff, Freddy Schott secures his first DP World Tour victory using exclusively Ping clubs.
Freddy Schott claimed his maiden victory on the DP World Tour at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship 2026 after a nerve-wracking playoff on the final day. The 24-year-old from Düsseldorf won against Scotland’s Callum Hill and American Patrick Reed after the second playoff hole, all finishing the tournament at -17. Schott showed full loyalty to the renowned Japanese brand Ping for his choice of clubs.
Driver: Mini-Driver as Secret Weapon
From the tee, the freshly crowned DP World Tour champion relies on a mini-driver, similar to Marco Penge who recently adopted the same type of club. Schott’s driver is a prototype model from the Japanese manufacturer, added to the USGA Conforming List only in January this year. Ping is one of the few manufacturers whose mini-driver is not yet available commercially and is currently used only by top players worldwide. Notable features include the ‘Prototype’ label on the sole, adjustable weight at the back, a movable hosel, and the inscription ‘Spinsistency’ on the face.
In his bag, Schott also carries a Ping utility iron. Previously, depending on course conditions, he used a 2- or 3-iron from the Ping iCrossover series but has recently been seen with the iDi utility iron from Ping, introduced at the end of 2025 and quickly adopted by various pros. The Ping iDi combines modern technology with a compact shape, excellent feel, and high control, offering maximum ball speed and stability, ideal as a driving iron or for long approach shots.
Ping Blueprint-S for Control and Performance
For his regular irons (4-PW), Schott uses clubs from the Ping Blueprint-S series, a setup he has been using for about a year since its introduction in early 2025. Before this, he played with the Ping i59 irons for over two years. The Blueprint-S irons are fully forged from 8620 carbon steel with a thin topline, narrow sole, and matte satin chrome finish. This series targets low-handicap golfers seeking irons that offer both control and excellent performance.
He also uses Ping wedges from the S259 family. These wedges feature precision-milled MicroMax grooves on the face, with a HydroPearl chrome finish designed to maximize friction and spin, especially in wet conditions. The S259 series, successor to the well-known S159, became available in early 2026.
Freddy Schott’s Decisive Putter in the Playoff
The last club in Schott’s bag is also from Ping, a brand synonymous since 1959 with the distinctive sound when putting. Schott trusts a classic mallet-design putter, previously seen with similar models. His Ping PLD Ketsch Custom putter, made to his specifications, offers precise roll and clear feedback. This putter led him to the best putting statistics over the four tournament days and ultimately to victory in the playoff.
Breaking the Ping-only pattern, Schott uses a Titleist Pro V1 ball, like many other professional golfers.