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 victory in an intense playoff on the final day. After the second playoff hole against Scotsman Callum Hill and American Patrick Reed, all tied at -17, the 24-year-old from Düsseldorf earned his first major success for Germany. Schott is loyal to the renowned Japanese brand Ping for his club selection.
Driver: Mini-Driver as Secret Weapon
The newly crowned DP World Tour champion relies on a mini-driver off the tee, similar to Marco Penge, who recently adopted the same. Schott’s driver is a prototype model from Ping, added to the USGA Conforming List only in January this year. Ping is among the few manufacturers whose mini-drivers are not yet commercially available and are currently used solely by top global players. Notable features include the ‘Prototype’ inscription on the sole and an adjustable weight at the back. The adjustable hosel and the ‘Spinsistency’ marking on the clubface complete this previously unseen model.
Freddy Schott also carries a Ping utility iron in his bag. Previously, he alternated between a 2- or 3-iron from the Ping iCrossover series depending on course conditions, but recently he has been seen with the new iDi utility iron from Ping, introduced at the end of 2025 and quickly adopted by professionals. The Ping iDi is a high-performance iron designed for long shots, combining modern technology with a compact shape, excellent feel, and high control. It aims to maximize ball speed and stability, especially as a reliable driving iron or for 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, a setup he has employed for about a year. The Blueprint-S irons, unveiled in early 2025, replaced his previous two-year use of Ping i59 irons. The Blueprint-S heads are fully forged from 8620 carbon steel featuring a thin topline, narrow sole, and matte satin chrome finish. This series targets low-handicap golfers seeking clubs that provide excellent control and performance.
His wedges also come 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. The S259 is the successor to the popular S159 series, 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 known since 1959 for the distinctive sound during putting. Schott favors the classic mallet design putter, previously used in past events. The Ping PLD Ketsch Custom Putter was made to Schott’s specifications, offering precise roll characteristics and clear feedback. This putter contributed to Schott’s best putting statistics over four tournament days and ultimately led him to victory in the playoff.
In contrast, Schott’s ball choice is the Titleist Pro V1, a popular selection among many professional