In a thrilling playoff, Freddy Schott secures his first DP World Tour victory using only Ping clubs.
Freddy Schott clinched his first DP World Tour win at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship 2026 in a nerve-wracking playoff on the final day. It was only after the second hole of the playoff against Scot Callum Hill and American Patrick Reed, both finishing the tournament at -17, that it became clear the 24-year-old from Düsseldorf secured his maiden major success for Germany. Throughout the tournament, he remained loyal to the well-known Japanese brand Ping for his club choice.
Driver Secret Weapon: The Mini Driver
From the tee, the newly crowned winner relied on a mini driver, similar to Marco Penge, who recently adopted the same type of club. Schott’s driver is a prototype model from the Japanese manufacturer, added to the USGA Conforming List just this January. Ping is among the few producers whose mini drivers are currently not available to the public and are used exclusively by top players worldwide. Notable features include the ‘Prototype’ engraving on the sole and an adjustable weight on the back. The adjustable hosel and the ‘Spinsistency’ label on the face complete this previously unseen model.
Freddy Schott also carries a Ping utility iron. Previously, he wielded a 2- or 3-iron from the Ping iCrossover series depending on the course, but has recently been spotted with a Ping iDi utility iron introduced late 2025. The PING iDi is a powerful long iron combining modern technology with a compact shape, excellent feel, and high control. It aims to deliver maximum ball speeds and stability, especially as a reliable option off the tee or for long approach shots.
Ping Blueprint-S for Control and Performance
For his regular irons (4-PW), Schott plays with clubs from the Ping Blueprint-S series, a setup he has used for about a year since their debut in early 2025. Prior to that, Schott played Ping i59 irons for two years. The Blueprint-S heads are fully forged from 8620 carbon steel featuring a thin topline, narrow sole, and matte satin chrome finish. This series caters to low-handicap golfers seeking irons that combine precise control with excellent performance.
His wedges are also Ping, from the S259 family, featuring precision-milled MicroMax grooves on the face. The Hydropearl chrome finish maximizes friction to boost spin, particularly in wet conditions. The S259 wedges are the successors to the well-known S159 line, available since early 2026.
Freddy Schott’s Decisive Putter in the Playoff
The final club in Schott’s bag is also from Ping, a company renowned since 1959 for the distinctive sound of their putters. Schott trusts the traditional mallet design,