In a thrilling playoff, Freddy Schott secures his first DP World Tour victory using exclusively Ping clubs.
Freddy Schott clinched his first DP World Tour win at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship 2026 after an intense playoff on the final day. It was only after the second hole of 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 was confirmed as the winner, bringing his maiden major success to Germany. Throughout the tournament, he relied on clubs from the renowned Japanese brand Ping.
Off the Tee: The Mini Driver Secret Weapon
The newly crowned champion trusts a mini driver off the tee, similar to Marco Penge, who recently adopted such a club. Schott’s driver is a prototype model from the Japanese manufacturer Ping, added to the USGA Conforming List only in January this year. Ping is among the few manufacturers whose mini drivers are not yet available commercially and are currently used solely by the world’s top players. Notable features include the ‘Prototype’ label on the sole, adjustable weights at the back, a movable hosel, and the inscription ‘Spinsistency’ on the clubface.
Freddy Schott also carries a Ping utility iron in his bag. Previously, depending on course conditions, he used a 2 or 3 iron from the Ping iCrossover series but has now been seen with an iDi utility iron from Ping, introduced in late 2025 and quickly adopted by several touring professionals. The Ping iDi is designed for long play, combining modern technology with a compact shape, excellent feel, and high control, aiming to offer maximum ball speed and stability, especially as a driving iron 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 he has used for about a year since their release in early 2025. Prior to this, he played Ping i59 irons for over two years. The Blueprint-S irons feature forged 8620 carbon steel heads, a thin topline, narrow sole, and a matte satin-chrome finish. This series targets low-handicap golfers seeking irons with superior control and excellent performance.
His wedges are also from Ping’s S259 family, equipped with precision-milled MicroMax grooves on the face. The Hydropearl chrome finish enhances friction to increase spin, especially in wet conditions. The S259 succeeded 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 brand synonymous since 1959 with distinctive putting sound. Schott sticks with a classic mallet-style putter, a shape he has favored before. His Ping PLD Ketsch Custom Putter was tailored to his specifications, providing precise roll and clear feedback. It helped him achieve the best putting statistics over the four tournament days and was instrumental in his playoff victory.
In contrast, Schott’s ball choice is the Titleist Pro V1, popular among many touring professionals.