In a nerve-wracking playoff, Freddy Schott secures his first DP World Tour victory using exclusively Ping clubs.
At the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship 2026, Freddy Schott clinched his first DP World Tour win in an intense playoff. It was only after the second playoff hole against Scotsman Callum Hill and American Patrick Reed, who also finished the tournament at -17, that the 24-year-old from Düsseldorf could celebrate his maiden major victory for Germany. He remained loyal to the well-known Japanese brand Ping for his choice of clubs.
Driver: Mini Driver as a Secret Weapon
The newly crowned winner trusted a mini driver off the tee, similar to Marco Penge, who recently also adopted such a club. Schott’s driver is a prototype model from the Japanese manufacturer, which was added to the USGA Conforming List as of January this year. Ping is one of the few manufacturers whose mini drivers are not yet available on the retail market and are currently used only by the world’s top players. The driver features a ‘Prototype’ inscription on the sole and an adjustable weight at the back. An adjustable hosel and the word ‘Spinsistency’ on the clubface complete this previously unknown model.
Freddy Schott also includes a Ping utility iron in his bag. Previously, depending on the course conditions, he used a 2- or 3-iron from the Ping iCrossover series but has recently been seen with a Ping iDi utility iron. Introduced at the end of 2025, this iron is already favored by several golf pros. The Ping iDi is a powerful long game iron that combines modern technology with a compact shape, excellent feel, and high control. It aims to maximize ball speed and stability, especially as a reliable option for tee shots (as a driving iron) or 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. This setup has been in use for about a year, with the Blueprint-S irons first introduced in early 2025. Before this, Schott played with the Ping i59 irons for over two years. The Blueprint-S heads are fully forged from 8620 carbon steel and feature a thin topline, narrow sole, and matte satin chrome finish. This series is targeted at low-handicap golfers who prefer irons offering excellent control and performance.
His wedges are also from Ping, belonging to the S259 family. The S259 wedges feature precision-milled MicroMax grooves on the clubface. The Hydropearl chrome finish is designed to maximize friction and increase spin—particularly in wet conditions. This series succeeds the well-known S159 and has been available since early 2026.
Freddy Schott and His Crucial Putter in the Playoff
The final club in Schott’s bag is also from Ping, a manufacturer synonymous since 1959 with the distinctive sound of putting. Schott relies on the tried-and-tested mallet design putter, having used this shape in the past as well. The Ping PLD Ketsch custom putter was made to Schott’s specifications and is designed to provide precise roll characteristics and clear feedback. The put