Freddy Schott talks about nerves, mistakes, and relief after his first DP World Tour victory in Bahrain.
Freddy Schott was at a loss for words after his win at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship on the DP World Tour: ‘It still hasn’t fully sunk in. It will take some time, but it’s incredible,’ said the German from Düsseldorf after claiming his first DP World Tour victory. In a dramatic playoff at the Royal Golf Club, Schott defeated Patrick Reed and Calum Hill, marking the most important chapter of his career so far.
Freddy Schott: \”Nerves Hit on the Back Nine\”
The final day demanded everything from Schott. ‘It was tough, especially towards the end,’ he recalled. The start was ‘okay’ as he played quite well and found a good rhythm. But on the back nine, the tension increased: ‘Of course, the nerves kicked in from there.’
Nevertheless, Schott stayed composed. ‘I was glad to manage it pretty well – not perfect, but okay,’ he reflected. His imperfections showed particularly on the 11th hole. After missing an eagle on the 10th, an unfortunate tee shot followed: ‘I aimed six or seven meters right of the pin but pulled it. Pulled shots often go long.’ The ball landed ‘very hot’ behind the green, and the subsequent chip failed, resulting in a two-putt double bogey.
Birdies at the Right Time and a Shared Lead
Instead of letting the setback derail him, Schott made a conscious decision. ‘Normally, we get a ride from the 11th to the 12th, and I said: Okay, I won’t take the ride, I’ll walk to calm myself and stay in the moment.’ He reminded himself of the heart of the sport: ‘These are the moments you’re here for; it’s why you play golf – so try to press the gas and keep going.’
And so he did. ‘We played a beautiful shot on the 12th and a good birdie on the 13th,’ Schott reported before focusing on simply getting the ball into the clubhouse. After 72 holes at 17-under par, he shared the lead with Reed and Hill – making a playoff inevitable. In the playoff, Schott kept his nerves and sealed victory after two holes. Hill faltered, Reed was already out, and Schott finished with a par to clinch his triumph.
Caddie as Anchor: \”We Talked About Everything Except Golf\”
A key role was played by his caddie. ‘Luckily, I talked a lot with Taka,’ Schott said. ‘He completely distracted me from all those thoughts. We talked about everything except 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 final putt was hard to describe. ‘How I feel is indescribable. I have no words,’ Schott said. One thing was certain: ‘I’m just glad I got it over the