Freddy Schott talks about nerves, mistakes, and relief after his first DP World Tour victory in Bahrain.
After winning the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour, Freddy Schott was at a loss for words. \”It still hasn’t fully sunk in. It will take a while, but it’s incredible,\” said the Düsseldorf native after celebrating his first DP World Tour win. In a dramatic playoff at the Royal Golf Club, Schott prevailed against Patrick Reed and Calum Hill, marking the most important chapter of his career so far.
Freddy Schott: \”Nerves Hit on the Back Nine\”
The final day tested the German to the fullest. \”It was tough, especially towards the end,\” Schott described the hours on the course. His start was \”okay\” as he played fairly well and had a good rhythm. However, tension set in on the back nine: \”Of course, the nerves kicked in from that point.\”
Nonetheless, Freddy Schott kept his composure. \”I was glad to manage it pretty well—not perfect, but okay,\” he reflected. Things went awry particularly on the 11th hole. After missing an eagle on 10, he hit an unfortunate tee shot: \”The plan was to aim six or seven meters right of the pin, but I pulled it. Pulled shots often go long.\” The ball landed \”very hot\” behind the green, followed by a failed chip and two putts, resulting in a silly double bogey.
Birdies at the Right Moment and a Shared Lead
Instead of letting the setback shake him, Schott made a conscious decision. \”Normally, we get a ride from 11 to 12, but I said: Okay, I won’t 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 step on the gas and keep going.\”
And so he did. \”We hit a beautiful shot on 12 and a good birdie on 13,\” Schott recalled before it was just about \”somehow getting it into the clubhouse.\” After 72 holes at 17 under par, he shared the lead with Reed and Hill, forcing a playoff. In the decider, Schott kept his nerves. Two playoff holes were enough to seal the victory. Hill faltered, Reed had already been eliminated, and Schott stayed error-free, finishing his triumph with a par.
Caddie as an Anchor: \”We Talked About Everything Except Golf\”
His caddie played a key role. \”Luckily, I talked a lot with Taka,\” said Schott. \”He completely distracted me 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 working with him.\”
The emotional moment after the final putt was hard to describe. \”How I feel is indescribable. I have no words,\” Schott said. One