In a nerve-racking playoff, Freddy Schott clinched his first DP World Tour victory using exclusively Ping clubs.
At the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship 2026, Freddy Schott secured his first DP World Tour win on the final day in an intense playoff against Scotland’s Callum Hill and American Patrick Reed, who also finished the tournament at -17. The 24-year-old from Düsseldorf brought his first major success to Germany, relying exclusively on the renowned Japanese brand Ping for his clubs.
Drive: Mini-Driver as Secret Weapon
From the tee, the newly crowned DP World Tour champion trusts a mini-driver, similar to Marco Penge, who recently started using this club type. Schott’s driver is a prototype model from Ping, only added to the USGA Conforming List in January of this year. Ping is one of the few manufacturers whose mini-drivers are not yet commercially available and are currently used only by the world’s top players. Notable features include the “Prototype” marking on the sole, an adjustable weight at the back, an adjustable hosel, and the inscription “Spinsistency” on the clubface.
Schott also carries a Ping utility iron. Previously, depending on course conditions, he used a 2- or 3-iron from the Ping iCrossover series but was recently seen with a Ping iDi utility iron. Introduced at the end of 2025, the Ping iDi combines modern technology with a compact form, excellent feel, and high control. It aims to deliver maximum ball speeds and stability, making it a reliable option as a driving iron or for long approach shots.
Ping Blueprint-S for Control and Performance
For his regular irons (4-PW), Schott uses the Ping Blueprint-S series, which he has played for about a year since its early 2025 release. Before that, he used Ping i59 irons for over two years. The Blueprint-S heads are fully forged from 8620 carbon steel 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 are also from Ping, part of the S259 family featuring precision-milled MicroMax grooves on the face. The Hydropearl chrome finish maximizes friction to increase spin, especially in wet conditions. These wedges succeed the well-known S159 and have been on the market since early 2026.
Freddy Schott and His Crucial Putter in the Playoff
The final club in Schott’s bag is also by Ping, a brand synonymous since 1959 with the distinctive sound on the greens. Schott favors the classic mallet design for his putters and has used similar models in the past. His Ping PLD Ketsch Custom putter was made to his specifications, designed to offer precise roll characteristics and clear feedback. The putter contributed to his top putting stats over four tournament days and ultimately led him to victory in the playoff.
Notably, Schott breaks from Ping for his ball choice, opting for the Titleist Pro V1, as do many other touring professionals.