In a nerve-wracking playoff, Freddy Schott secures his first DP World Tour victory using only Ping clubs.
Freddy Schott claimed his first DP World Tour win at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship 2026 in a tense playoff. After matching scores of -17 with Scotland’s Callum Hill and American Patrick Reed, Schott triumphed on the second playoff hole, bringing his first major victory to Germany at just 24 years old. He remains loyal to the renowned Japanese brand Ping for his club selection.
Driver: Mini-Driver as Secret Weapon
The newly crowned champion relies on a mini-driver off the tee, similar to Marco Penge, who recently adopted the same club. Schott’s driver is a prototype model from Ping, which was added to the USGA conforming list in January 2026. Ping is one of the few manufacturers offering mini-drivers exclusively to top players, not yet available in retail. Key features include the ‘Prototype’ label on the sole, adjustable weight at the back, a customizable hosel, and the ‘Spinsistency’ marking on the clubface, showcasing its unique design.
Schott also carries a Ping utility iron in his bag. Previously, depending on the course, he used a 2 or 3 iron from the Ping iCrossover series but has been spotted with the newly released iDi utility iron since late 2025. The Ping iDi combines modern technology with a compact shape, excellent feel, and high control, designed to maximize ball speed and stability for long shots, serving reliably as a driving iron or for long approaches.
Ping Blueprint-S for Control and Performance
For his regular irons (4-PW), Schott uses the Ping Blueprint-S series, a setup he’s employed for about a year since its early 2025 release. Before that, he played Ping i59 irons for two years. The Blueprint-S irons feature fully forged 8620 carbon steel heads, a thin topline, narrow sole, and matte satin chrome finish. They cater to low-handicap golfers seeking irons that balance control and high performance.
His wedges are also from Ping’s S259 family, featuring precision-milled MicroMax grooves and a Hydropearl chrome finish to optimize friction and spin, especially in wet conditions. The S259 follows the well-known S159 series and has been available since early 2026.
Freddy Schott’s Crucial Putter in the Playoff
The final club in Schott’s bag is also from Ping, known since 1959 for its distinctive putting sound. He trusts the classic mallet design of his putter, and the Ping PLD Ketsch Custom was crafted to his specifications, offering precise roll and clear feedback. This putter helped Schott achieve the best putting statistics throughout the four tournament days and ultimately guided him to victory in the playoff.
Deviating from his all-Ping setup, Schott chooses the Titleist Pro V1 ball, a popular choice among professional golfers.