In a thrilling playoff, Freddy Schott secures his first DP World Tour victory using only Ping clubs.
Freddy Schott claimed his maiden DP World Tour win at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship 2026 on the final day after a nerve-wracking playoff. It was only after the second hole in the playoff against Scotland’s Callum Hill and American Patrick Reed, who also finished the tournament at -17, that the 24-year-old from Düsseldorf secured his first major victory for Germany. Throughout, he remained loyal to the renowned Japanese brand Ping for his club choice.
Driver Innovation: The Mini-Driver Secret Weapon
Off the tee, the newly crowned DP World Tour winner relies on a mini-driver, similar to Marco Penge, who recently switched to such a club. Schott’s driver is a prototype model from the Japanese manufacturer, added to the USGA conforming list only in January this year. Ping is among the few manufacturers whose mini-drivers are not yet available in retail and are currently used only by top global players. Notable features include the ‘Prototype’ marking on the sole, an adjustable weight at the back, an adjustable hosel, and the inscription ‘Spinsistency’ on the clubface completing this previously unseen model.
Freddy Schott also carries a utility iron from Ping. Previously, depending on course conditions, he used either a 2- or 3-iron from the Ping iCrossover series, but now he has been spotted with the relatively new iDi utility iron, introduced late 2025 and quickly adopted by several pros. The PING iDi combines modern technology with a compact shape, excellent feel, and high control, designed to maximize ball speed and stability, making it 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 uses clubs from the Ping Blueprint-S series, a setup in place for about a year after their debut in early 2025. Before that, he played with Ping i59 irons for over two years. The Blueprint-S heads are forged from 8620 carbon steel featuring a thin topline, narrow sole, and matte satin chrome finish. This series targets low-handicap golfers seeking irons that deliver excellent control and performance.
His wedges are also from Ping’s S259 family, which have precision-milled MicroMax grooves on the clubface. The Hydropearl chrome finish enhances friction