In a thrilling playoff, Freddy Schott secures his first DP World Tour victory using only Ping clubs.
Freddy Schott clinched his maiden win on the DP World Tour at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship 2026 after a tense playoff. It took until the second playoff hole against Scotsman Callum Hill and American Patrick Reed, who also finished the tournament at -17, to confirm that the 24-year-old from Düsseldorf had brought his first major success back to Germany. He showed complete loyalty to the well-known American brand Ping when choosing his clubs.
Drive: Mini Driver as Secret Weapon
Off the tee, the newly crowned champion relied on a mini driver, similar to Marco Penge who recently adopted this club type as well. Schott’s driver is a prototype from the American manufacturer, added to the USGA’s Conforming List only in January this year. Ping remains one of the few manufacturers whose mini driver is not yet commercially available and is currently used exclusively by top players worldwide. Noticeable markings include the word ‘Prototype’ on the sole and an adjustable weight at the back. The adjustable hosel and the inscription ‘Spinsistency’ on the clubface complete the previously unseen model.
Freddy Schott also carries a utility iron from Ping in his bag. Previously, depending on course conditions, he used a 2- or 3-iron from the Ping iCrossover series, but he has recently been spotted with a Ping iDi utility iron introduced at the end of 2025 and quickly adopted by various professionals. The PING iDi combines modern technology with a compact shape, excellent feel, and high control, designed to maximize ball speed and stability—ideal 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 relied on for about a year since their introduction in early 2025. Before that, he spent two years playing Ping i59 irons. The Blueprint-S heads are fully forged from 8620 carbon steel, featuring a thin topline, narrow sole, and a matte satin chrome finish. This series targets low-handicap golfers seeking irons with excellent control and high performance.
His wedges also come from Ping’s S259 family, featuring precision-milled MicroMax grooves on the clubface and a Hydropearl chrome finish to increase friction and spin—especially in wet conditions. This model succeeds the popular S159 line and has been available 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 its distinctive putting sound. He trusts the tried-and-true mallet design of his putter, having been seen using similar models before. The Ping PLD Ketsch Custom Putter was crafted to Schott’s specifications to provide precise roll and clear feedback. This putter was key in delivering the best putting statistics over the four tournament days and ultimately securing victory in the playoff.
An exception to his Ping setup is his ball choice; like many other pros, Schott uses the Titleist