In a thrilling playoff, Freddy Schott claims his first DP World Tour victory using exclusively Ping clubs.
At the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship 2026, Freddy Schott secured his maiden DP World Tour win on the final day in a nervy playoff. Only after the second playoff hole against Scotland’s Callum Hill and American Patrick Reed, who also finished the tournament at -17 strokes, was it clear that the 24-year-old from Düsseldorf had brought his first major success back to Germany. When choosing his clubs, he remains loyal to the renowned Japanese brand Ping.
Off the tee: Mini-Driver as a secret weapon
The newly crowned winner of the latest DP World Tour tournament relies on a mini-driver from the tee, similar to Marco Penge, who has recently also started using such a club. Schott’s driver is a prototype model from the Japanese manufacturer, which was only added to the USGA’s Conforming List in January this year. Ping is one of the few manufacturers whose mini-driver is not yet available commercially and is currently used only by the world’s top players. Notable markings include the ‘Prototype’ inscription on the sole and an adjustable weight at the back. The driver also features an adjustable hosel and the term ‘Spinsistency’ on the clubface, completing this previously unseen model.
Freddy Schott also carries a Ping utility iron in his bag. Previously, depending on the course setup, he used a 2- or 3-iron from the Ping iCrossover series but has recently been seen with a Ping iDi utility iron. Released at the end of 2025, this iron quickly found a place in several pro bags. The PING iDi is a powerful long-iron designed with modern technology, compact shape, excellent feel, and high control. It aims to maximize ball speeds and stability, especially as a reliable option for tee shots (driving iron) or long approach shots.
Ping Blueprint-S for control and performance
For his standard irons (4-PW), Schott uses clubs from the Ping Blueprint-S series, a setup he has employed for about a year since the irons were introduced in early 2025. Before that, he played with 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 a matte satin chrome finish. This series targets low-handicap golfers seeking irons that offer excellent control alongside outstanding performance.
His wedges also come from Ping’s S259 family. These wedges feature precision-milled MicroMax grooves on the face. The Hydropearl chrome finish is designed to maximize friction and increase spin, especially in wet conditions. The S259 series is the successor to the popular S159 and has been available since early 2026.
Freddy Schott’s decisive putter in the playoff
The final club in Schott’s bag is also from Ping, a manufacturer known since 1959 for the distinctive sound when putting. Schott prefers the classic mallet design for his putters and has been seen with such putters in the past. The Ping PLD Ketsch custom putter was made to Schott’s specifications, offering precise roll characteristics and clear