In a thrilling playoff, Freddy Schott secures his first DP World Tour victory using exclusively Ping clubs.
At the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship 2026, Freddy Schott clinched his first DP World Tour win on the final day in a nerve-wracking playoff. 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 brought his first major win to Germany. He remained loyal to the renowned Japanese brand Ping for his club selection.
Driver: Mini Driver as Secret Weapon
The newly crowned DP World Tour winner relies on a mini driver off the tee, similar to Marco Penge, who recently started using such a club. Schott’s driver is a prototype model from the Japanese manufacturer, which was only added to the USGA Conforming List in January this year. Ping is among the few manufacturers whose mini drivers are not yet commercially available and are currently used only by the world’s best players. The sole features a ‘Prototype’ inscription and an adjustable weight at the back. The adjustable hosel and the ‘Spinsistency’ marking on the clubface complete this previously unseen model.
In his bag, Freddy Schott also carries a utility iron from Ping. Previously, depending on course conditions, he used a 2- or 3-iron from the Ping iCrossover series but has now been seen with an iDi utility iron from Ping as well. Introduced at the end of 2025, the PING iDi is a powerful long game iron combining modern technology with a compact shape, excellent feel, and high control. It aims for maximum ball speeds and stability, particularly as a reliable option for tee shots (driving iron) or 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, employed for about a year now since their debut in early 2025. Before that, he played with Ping i59 irons for over two years. The Blueprint-S heads are fully forged from 8620 carbon steel and feature a thin topline, narrow sole, and matte satin chrome finish. This series targets low handicap golfers seeking irons that offer excellent control alongside outstanding performance.
His wedges are also from Ping’s S259 family featuring precision-milled MicroMax grooves on the clubface. The Hydropearl chrome finish enhances friction to increase spin, especially in wet conditions. This is the successor to the well-known S159, available since early 2026.
Freddy Schott and His Decisive 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 trusts the classic mallet design of his putter, seen previously using similar models. The Ping PLD Ketsch Custom Putter was made to Schott’s specifications, designed to provide precise roll characteristics and clear feedback. This putter helped Schott achieve the best putting statistics over the four tournament days and ultimately led him to victory in the playoff.
One exception in his equipment is his ball choice: Schott opts, like many other