Freddy Schott says he arrives at the Investec South African Open Championship with a newfound confidence that he can land silverware on the DP World Tour since winning Final Stage of Qualifying School.
After finishing 144th on the season-long Race to Dubai in partnership with Rolex Rankings, the German quickly regained his playing privileges on golf’s global tour at INFINITUM earlier this month.
An eagle on the final hole of the marathon six-round Final Stage event in Spain helped him to a two-shot victory as 33 players earned their full playing privileges on the DP World Tour.
With the DP World Tour's Opening Swing continuing this week with concurrent events in South Africa and Australia, Schott now makes his first start of the new campaign at South Africa's national Open hoping he can build on those good vibes.
“I felt the minute I got here a winner again,” said Schott, who won on the European Challenge Tour in 2022 on his way to graduating to the DP World Tour later that year.
“I know I can win, even though it is Q School it doesn’t matter. I have got a winning feeling again. I went to go out here and win and I am going to crack on from that.”
Widely regarded as among the toughest tests in golf, Qualifying School has proved itself to be a breeding ground that has resulted in a host of Major Champions, World Number Ones and Ryder Cup players.
Despite the pressure of vying to finish among the top 25 and ties from a starting field of 156, Schott insists he relished the challenge.
“It was unbelievable, such a big relief,” he said of ensuring a second consecutive season on the DP World Tour.
“I don’t feel like I did too much wrong [last season] but just couldn’t put the scores on the card.
“So, obviously the target was to finish in the top 25 but winning it was simply insane. I was enjoying every second of it.”
The 22-year-old got off to a slow start last season on the DP World Tour, making just one cut – at last year’s edition of the South African Open Championship – in his first 13 starts.
He found his feet with three top-15 finishes in a five-event stretch either side of the summer break last year before struggling for form in the closing weeks of the campaign as he missed out on finishing in the top 116 on the Rankings.
Reflecting on the experience of his rookie campaign, he said: “I have learned a lot last year and I think I can eliminate some of the mistakes I made in the past, so I am just excited to get it going this week.”
The South African Open - being held for the second year running at Blair Atholl Golf & Equestrian Estate - has drawn another strong field ahead of Thursday’s first round, with home star Thriston Lawrence back to defend his title.
“It is one of the events you don’t want to miss,” said Schott.
“That’s another reason why I am happy to get through Q School because these are the tournaments I am looking forward to coming to and I enjoy the most, especially on what I call second home turf.”
