In a thrilling playoff, Freddy Schott clinches his first DP World Tour victory using only Ping clubs.
Freddy Schott secured his maiden win on the DP World Tour at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship 2026 in a nerve-wracking playoff on the final day. It was only after the second playoff hole against Scotland’s Callum Hill and American Patrick Reed, who also finished the tournament at 17-under, that the 24-year-old from Düsseldorf could celebrate his first major triumph for Germany. Schott stayed loyal to the renowned Japanese brand Ping for his choice of clubs.
Driver: Mini-Driver as Secret Weapon
Off the tee, the newly crowned winner trusted a mini-driver, similar to fellow golfer Marco Penge who recently also adopted such a club. Schott’s driver is a prototype model from Ping that was only added to the USGA Conforming List in January this year. Ping is one of the few manufacturers whose mini-driver is not yet available to the public and is currently used exclusively by the world’s top players. Notable features include a \”Prototype\” imprint on the sole, adjustable weights at the back, an adjustable hosel, and the \”Spinsistency\” marking on the clubface.
Additionally, Freddy Schott carries a Ping utility iron in his bag. Previously, depending on the course conditions, he used either a 2- or 3-iron from the Ping iCrossover series, but was recently seen with a Ping iDi utility iron introduced at the end of 2025. The PING iDi is a powerful long-game iron combining advanced technology with a compact shape, excellent feel, and high control. It aims to deliver maximum ball speed and stability, serving as a reliable option off the tee as a driving iron or for long approach shots.
Ping Blueprint-S for Control and Performance
For his regular irons (4-PW), Schott opts for clubs from the Ping Blueprint-S series, a setup he has used for about a year since their debut in early 2025. Before that, he played Ping i59 irons for over two years. The Blueprint-S irons feature fully forged 8620 carbon steel heads with a thin topline, narrow sole, and matte satin chrome finish. This series targets low-handicap golfers seeking irons that provide excellent control and performance.
His wedges are also from Ping, belonging to the S259 family. These wedges feature precision-milled MicroMax grooves on the clubface and a Hydropearl chrome finish designed to maximize friction and therefore spin, especially in wet conditions. The S259 is the successor to the well-known S159 and has been available since early 2026.
Freddy Schott and His 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 at the putter’s strike. Schott favors the classic mallet design and has been seen with putters in this style throughout his career. The Ping PLD Ketsch Custom putter, built to Schott’s specifications, offers precise roll and clear feedback. It contributed to Schott achieving the best putting statistics over the four tournament days and ultimately led him to victory in the playoff