In a thrilling playoff, Freddy Schott secures his first DP World Tour triumph using only Ping clubs.
At the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship 2026, Freddy Schott clinched his maiden DP World Tour victory in a nail-biting playoff on the final day. The 24-year-old from Düsseldorf defeated Scotland’s Callum Hill and American Patrick Reed after the second playoff hole, all of whom had finished the tournament at 17-under par. Throughout, he remained loyal to the well-known Japanese brand Ping for his clubs.
Driver: Mini-Driver as a Secret Weapon
From the tee, the newly crowned champion relied on a mini-driver, similar to Marco Penge, who recently adopted the same club. Schott’s driver is a prototype model from the Japanese manufacturer, which was only added to the USGA conforming list in January of this year. Ping is one of the few brands whose mini-drivers are not yet available commercially and are currently used exclusively by the world’s top players. Notable features include the ‘Prototype’ inscription on the sole, an adjustable weight at the back, a movable hosel, and the word ‘Spinsistency’ on the clubface, completing this previously unseen model.
Freddy Schott also carries a Ping utility iron in his bag. Previously, he used a 2- or 3-iron from Ping’s iCrossover series, depending on course conditions, but has now been spotted with the newly released iDi utility iron from Ping, 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 speeds and stability, particularly as a reliable option for tee shots (as a driving iron) or long approach shots.
Ping Blueprint-S for Control and Performance
For his standard irons (4-PW), Schott uses clubs from the Ping Blueprint-S series, which he has been using for about a year since their introduction in early 2025. Before this, he played the Ping i59 irons for over two years. 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 that offer excellent control and performance.
His wedges also come from Ping’s S259 family, which feature precision-milled MicroMax grooves on the clubface. The Hydropearl chrome finish maximizes friction to increase spin, especially in wet conditions. This successor to the popular S159 wedge series has been available since early 2026.
Freddy Schott and His Decisive Putter in the Playoff
The final club in Schott’s bag also comes from Ping, a name synonymous since 1959 with the distinctive sound of putting. Schott trusts the classic mallet design of his putters, which he has frequently played before. His custom Ping PLD Ketsch putter, made to his specifications, offers precise roll characteristics and clear feedback. This putter helped Schott achieve the best putting stats over the four tournament days and ultimately led him to victory in the playoff.
An exception in his equipment is the golf ball: like