In a thrilling playoff, Freddy Schott secures his first DP World Tour victory using only Ping clubs.
Freddy Schott won his first DP World Tour title at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship 2026 in an intense final-day playoff. After the second playoff hole against Scotland’s Callum Hill and American Patrick Reed—who also finished the tournament at -17—it became clear that the 24-year-old from Düsseldorf had brought his maiden major victory to Germany. Throughout the tournament, Schott remained loyal to the renowned Japanese brand Ping for his club selection.
Driver: Mini-Driver as Secret Weapon
The newly crowned champion trusted a mini-driver off the tee, similar to Marco Penge, who recently adopted the same club type. Schott’s driver is a prototype model by Ping, which was only added to the USGA’s Conforming List in January 2026. Ping is among the few manufacturers whose mini-drivers are not commercially available yet and are currently used exclusively by the world’s best players. Notable features include the ‘Prototype’ inscription on the sole, an adjustable weight at the back, an adjustable hosel, and the word ‘Spinsistency’ on the clubface.
Schott’s bag also contains a Ping utility iron. Previously, he used Ping’s iCrossover 2- or 3-irons depending on course conditions but was recently seen with the iDi utility iron, introduced at the end of 2025 and quickly adopted by several golf pros. The Ping iDi is a powerful long-game iron combining modern technology with a compact shape, excellent feel, and high control. It aims to deliver maximum ball speed and stability, especially reliable off the tee as a driving iron or for long approach shots.
Ping Blueprint-S for Control and Performance
For his standard irons (4-PW), Schott uses clubs from the Ping Blueprint-S series, a setup he has employed for about a year since the series was introduced in early 2025. Before that, he played Ping i59 irons for two years. The Blueprint-S irons are fully forged from 8620 carbon steel, featuring a thin topline, narrow sole, and matte satin chrome finish. This line targets low handicap golfers seeking irons that offer excellent control and performance.
His wedges are also Ping, part of the S259 family. These wedges feature precision-milled MicroMax grooves on the clubface. Their Hydropearl chrome finish enhances friction and spin, especially in wet conditions. The S259 is the successor to the popular S159 line and has been available since early 2026.
Freddy Schott and His Crucial Putter in the Playoff
The final club in Schott’s bag is also from Ping, a brand known since 1959 for its distinctive putting sound. Schott favors the classic mallet design and has consistently used mallet putters in the past. His Ping PLD Ketsch custom putter is made to his specifications, designed to provide precise roll and clear feedback. This putter helped Schott achieve the best putting stats over the four tournament days and ultimately secured his playoff victory.
One exception in Schott’s setup is his ball choice: like many other professionals, he plays the