Freddy Schott talks about nerves, mistakes, and relief after his first DP World Tour win in Bahrain.
After his victory at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour, Freddy Schott was at a loss for words: \”It still hasn’t quite sunk in. It will take a while, but it’s incredible,\” said the Düsseldorf native, who celebrated his first DP World Tour win at the Royal Golf Club in a dramatic playoff against Patrick Reed and Calum Hill, marking the most important chapter of his career so far.
Freddy Schott: \”The Nerves Kicked In on the Back Nine\”
The final day demanded everything from the German. \”It was tough, especially towards the end,\” Schott described his time on the course. The start was \”okay\” because he played solidly and maintained a good rhythm. But the tension set in on the back nine: \”Of course, the nerves started to kick in from there.\”
Schott kept his composure. \”I was glad I managed it quite well – not perfectly, but okay,\” he reflected. This was particularly evident on the 11th hole. Following a missed eagle on the 10th, an unfortunate tee shot occurred: \”The plan was to aim six or seven meters right of the flag, but unfortunately, I pulled it. Pulled shots often go long.\” The ball landed very hot behind the green, and the following chip missed. \”Two putts, just a dumb double bogey.\”
Birdies at the Right Time and a Shared Lead
Instead of letting the setback throw him off, Schott made a conscious decision. \”Usually, we get a ride from 11 to 12, but I said: Okay, I won’t take the 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.\”
He followed through. \”We played a beautiful shot on 12, a good birdie on 13,\” reported Schott, before the last holes were just about \”getting it somehow to the clubhouse.\” With 17 under par, he shared the lead after 72 holes with Reed and Hill – a playoff was inevitable. In the playoff, Schott kept his nerves. Two holes were enough to seal the victory. Hill faltered, Reed was already out – Schott remained flawless and sealed 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,\” Schott said. \”He completely kept me away from all those thoughts. We talked about everything, just not 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 last putt was hard to put into words. \”How I feel is indescribable. I have no words,\” Sch