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 some time, but it’s incredible,\” said the German from Düsseldorf, after clinching his first DP World Tour title. 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 the German. \”It was tough, especially towards the end,\” Schott described the hours on the course. The start was \”okay\” as he played quite decently, maintaining a good rhythm. However, tension set in on the back nine: \”Of course, that’s when the nerves kicked in.\”
Despite this, Freddy Schott stayed composed. \”I was glad I managed it reasonably well – not perfect, but okay,\” he reflected. Imperfections appeared notably on the 11th hole. After missing an eagle on the 10th, an unfortunate tee shot followed: \”The plan was to aim six or seven meters right of the flag, but I pulled it. Pulled shots often go long.\” The ball landed \”very hot\” behind the green, and the ensuing chip failed. \”Two putts, just a silly double bogey.\”
Birdies at the Right Time and a Shared Lead
Instead of letting the setback derail him, Schott made a conscious decision. \”Usually, we get a ride from the 11th to the 12th, but I said: Okay, I won’t take the ride, I’ll walk to calm myself down and stay in the moment.\” He reminded himself of the essence of the game: \”These are the moments you’re here for; this is why you play golf – so try to hit the gas and keep going.\”
He followed through. \”We hit a beautiful shot on the 12th and a good birdie on the 13th,\” Schott reported, before focusing on \”just getting it into the clubhouse\” in the closing holes. After 72 holes, tied at 17 under par with Reed and Hill, the playoff was inevitable. In the decisive moment, Schott kept his composure. Two playoff holes were enough to secure the win. Hill faltered, Reed had already been eliminated – Schott remained flawless and sealed his triumph with a par.
Caddie as Anchor: \”We Talked About Everything Except Golf\”
His caddie played a key role. \”Luckily, I talked a lot with Taka,\” Schott said. \”He completely distracted me from all the 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