In a thrilling playoff, Freddy Schott secures his first DP World Tour victory playing exclusively with Ping clubs.
At the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship 2026, Freddy Schott claimed his first DP World Tour win in a nerve-racking playoff on the final day. After the second playoff hole against Scotland’s Callum Hill and American Patrick Reed, all tied at -17, the 24-year-old from Düsseldorf brought his maiden major victory to Germany. He remained loyal to the well-known American brand Ping for his club choices.
Driver: Mini-Driver as Secret Weapon
From the tee, the newly crowned winner relied on a mini-driver, similar to Marco Penge, who recently adopted the same club. Schott’s driver is a prototype model from Ping, approved by the USGA on the conforming list in January this year. Ping is among the few manufacturers whose mini-drivers are not yet publicly available and are currently used only by the world’s top players. Notable features include the “Prototype” marking on the sole, an adjustable weight system on the back, an adjustable hosel, and the “Spinsistency” lettering on the clubface.
Schott also carries a Ping utility iron. Previously playing with a 2- or 3-iron from Ping’s iCrossover series depending on course conditions, he has now been seen with the new Ping iDi utility iron, introduced at the end of 2025. The Ping iDi blends modern technology with a compact shape, excellent feel, and high control, designed for maximum ball speed and stability, making it ideal for tee shots 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, which he has been playing with for about a year since their early 2025 release. Before that, he spent two years with the Ping i59 irons. The Blueprint-S irons feature fully forged 8620 carbon steel heads with a thin topline, narrow sole, and matte satin chrome finish, catering to low-handicap golfers who want excellent control combined with high performance. His wedges are also from Ping’s S259 family, featuring precision-milled MicroMax grooves and a Hydropearl chrome finish to maximize friction and spin, especially in wet conditions. This series replaced the well-known S159 and became available in 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 an unmistakable putting sound. Schott trusts the classic mallet design for his putter, having been seen with similar models before. The custom Ping PLD Ketsch putter, crafted to Schott’s specifications, offers precise roll and clear feedback. It helped him achieve the best putting statistics over the four tournament days and ultimately secured his playoff win. Interestingly, Schott’s ball choice stands out as he uses the Titleist Pro V1, like many other professional golfers.