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 maiden DP World Tour win after a tense playoff on the final day. It took until the second playoff hole against Scotland’s Callum Hill and American Patrick Reed, both finishing at -17, for the 24-year-old from Düsseldorf to claim his breakthrough victory for Germany. Schott relied entirely on clubs from the renowned Japanese brand Ping.
Off the Tee: Mini-Driver as a Secret Weapon
The newly crowned winner trusts a mini-driver off the tee, similar to Marco Penge, who recently adopted the same type of club. Schott’s driver is a prototype Ping model, added to the USGA Conforming List in January 2026. Ping is one of the few manufacturers whose mini-driver is not yet commercially available and is currently used only by the world’s top players. Notable features include the ‘Prototype’ label on the sole, adjustable weight at the back, an adjustable hosel, and the inscription ‘Spinsistency’ on the clubface completing this previously unseen model.
Schott also carries a Ping utility iron in his bag. Previously switching between 2- or 3-irons from the Ping iCrossover series depending on course conditions, he now uses the recently launched Ping iDi utility iron. Introduced late 2025, the Ping iDi is designed for long game performance combining modern technology with a compact profile, excellent feel, and high control. It aims to provide maximum ball speed and stability, especially as a dependable option off the tee or on 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, which he has had in play for about a year since their early 2025 release. He had previously played Ping i59 irons for over two years. The Blueprint-S irons feature forged 8620 carbon steel heads with a thin topline, narrow sole, and matte satin chrome finish. This series targets low-handicap golfers seeking irons that offer excellent control and performance.
His wedges also come from Ping, specifically the S259 family, which includes precisely milled MicroMax grooves on the faces. The Hydropearl chrome finish maximizes friction and spin, particularly in wet conditions. The S259 wedges succeeded the well-known S159 line and have been available since early 2026.
Freddy Schott’s Crucial Putter in the Playoff
The final club in Schott’s bag is also from Ping, a brand synonymous since 1959 with its distinctive putting sound. He trusts the reliable mallet design of his putter, having used similar models in the past. The Ping PLD Ketsch Custom Putter, tailored to Schott’s specifications, offers precise roll 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.
Notably, Schott’s ball choice diverges from Ping equipment as he, like many PGA pros, plays the Titleist Pro V1.