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 after a tense playoff on the final day. It was only after the second playoff hole against Scotland’s Callum Hill and American Patrick Reed, all finishing the tournament at 17-under, that the 24-year-old from Düsseldorf secured his first major victory for Germany. Throughout the tournament, he relied exclusively on clubs from the renowned Japanese brand, Ping.
Driver: The Mini Driver Secret Weapon
From the tee, the newly crowned winner trusted a mini driver, similar to Marco Penge who recently started using this club type as well. Schott’s driver is a prototype model from the Japanese manufacturer Ping, which was added to the USGA Conforming List only in January this year. Ping remains one of few brands whose mini drivers are not yet commercially available and are currently used exclusively by top players worldwide. Notable features include the ‘Prototype’ label on the sole, an adjustable weight at the back, an adjustable hosel, and the ‘Spinsistency’ marking on the clubface, making this an unprecedented model.
In his bag, Freddy Schott also carries a Ping utility iron. Previously, depending on course conditions, he used a 2- or 3-iron from the Ping iCrossover series, but has recently been seen with the newly introduced Ping iDi utility iron launched at the end of 2025. The PING iDi is known for combining modern technology with a compact shape, excellent feel, and high control, designed to maximize ball speed and stability 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 the Ping Blueprint-S series. This setup has been in use for about a year following its initial release in early 2025. Prior to this, he played Ping i59 irons for over two years. The Blueprint-S irons are fully forged from 8620 carbon steel, featuring a thin topline, narrow sole, and a matte satin chrome finish. This series caters to low handicap golfers seeking irons that offer excellent control and performance.
He also uses Ping wedges from the S259 family. These wedges feature precision-milled MicroMax grooves on the clubface. The Hydropearl chrome finish maximizes friction and spin, especially in wet conditions. This is the successor to the well-known S159 series, available on the market since early 2026.
Freddy Schott’s Crucial Putter in the Playoff
The final club in Schott’s bag is also from Ping, a brand synonymous since 1959 with the distinctive sound of putting. Schott favors the trusted mallet design, having been seen with putters of this shape previously. The Ping PLD Ketsch Custom Putter was made according to Sch