In a nerve-wracking playoff, Freddy Schott secures his first DP World Tour victory using exclusively Ping clubs.
At the final day of the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship 2026, Freddy Schott clinched his maiden win on the DP World Tour after an intense playoff. The 24-year-old from Düsseldorf secured victory only after the second playoff hole, competing against Scotland’s Callum Hill and American Patrick Reed, who all finished the tournament at -17. Throughout, Schott remained loyal to the renowned Japanese brand Ping for his club selection.
Driver: Mini-Driver as Secret Weapon
The newly crowned champion relied on a mini-driver off the tee, similarly to Marco Penge, who recently adopted the same. Schott’s driver is a prototype model from the Japanese manufacturer, added to the USGA conforming list only in January this year. Ping is among the few brands whose mini-drivers are not yet commercially available and used exclusively by top global players. Notable details include the ‘Prototype’ label on the sole, adjustable weight at the back, a movable hosel, and the ‘Spinsistency’ marking on the clubface, showcasing this previously unseen model.
Also in his bag is a Ping utility iron. Previously, depending on course conditions, Schott used a 2 or 3 iron from the Ping iCrossover series but has been seen using the recently introduced Ping iDi utility iron since late 2025. The PING iDi is designed for long game performance, combining cutting-edge technology with a compact shape, excellent feel, and high control. It aims for maximum ball speed and stability, especially 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 had for about a year since their early 2025 release. Before this, he played Ping i59 irons for two years. The Blueprint-S heads are fully forged from 8620 carbon steel, featuring a thin topline, narrow sole, and a matte satin-chrome finish. This series targets low-handicap golfers seeking irons with excellent control and performance.
His wedges are also Ping, from the S259 family, featuring precision-milled MicroMax grooves on the face. The HydroPearl chrome finish enhances friction and spin, particularly in wet conditions. This series has just succeeded the popular S159 and has been on the market 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 with a distinctive putting sound since 1959. Trusting a classic mallet design, Schott uses the Ping PLD Ketsch Custom putter, crafted per his specifications to deliver precise