Freddy Schott speaks about nerves, mistakes and relief following his maiden DP World Tour victory in Bahrain.
Freddy Schott was at a loss for words after claiming his first DP World Tour win at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship. ‘It still hasn’t fully sunk in. It’ll take a while, but it’s incredible,’ said the German from Düsseldorf after his dramatic playoff victory at the Royal Golf Club, where he triumphed over Patrick Reed and Calum Hill, marking the most important chapter in his career so far.
Freddy Schott: “Nerves Hit on the Back Nine”
The final day tested Schott to the limit. ‘It was tough, especially towards the end,’ he detailed. The start was ‘okay,’ as he played steadily and found a good rhythm. But nerves set in on the back nine. ‘Of course, that’s when the nerves kicked in.’
Despite the pressure, Schott managed himself well. ‘I was glad I handled it pretty well—not perfectly, but okay,’ he reflected. Imperfections were apparent, notably on the 11th hole. After missing an eagle opportunity on 10, a mis-hit tee shot on 11 landed well behind the green, followed by a failed chip, resulting in two putts for a double bogey—’a silly mistake.’
Birdies at the Right Time and a Shared Lead
Instead of letting the setback derail him, Schott made a conscious decision. Typically, players get a ride from 11 to 12, but he chose to walk to calm himself and stay present. He reminded himself of the essence of the sport: ‘These are the moments you’re here for; the reason you play golf—so try to hit the gas and keep going.’
He executed beautifully, landing a great shot on 12 and scoring a birdie on 13. The remaining holes were about getting to the clubhouse. Finishing 17 under par, Schott shared the lead with Reed and Hill after 72 holes, sending the tournament into a playoff. Maintaining his composure, Schott sealed the win on the second playoff hole, with Hill faltering and Reed out earlier. Schott made a par to complete his triumph.
Caddie as Anchor: “We Talked About Everything but Golf”
His caddie played a key role. ‘Luckily, I talked a lot with Taka,’ said Schott. ‘He kept me away from all the distracting thoughts. We talked about everything but golf—and that was great.’ Schott praised his caddie’s incredible job that week and said he couldn’t be happier to work with him.
The emotional moment after the final putt was indescribable. ‘I have no words to express how I feel,’ Schott admitted. One thing was certain: ‘I’m just glad I got it done—and we’ll see what the future holds.’