Freddy Schott is feeling a renewed sense of belonging on the DP World Tour as he makes his return to action at the Magical Kenya Open presented by absa following his breakthrough win earlier this month.
After earning promotion from the HotelPlanner Tour in 2022, the German has struggled to find his feet– losing his playing privileges in both 2023 and again in 2024 after regaining his card through victory at Qualifying School.
But two top tens in limited starts in 2025 saw him secure his card for 2026, and he has taken full advantage with his play-off victory at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship on his 91st DP World Tour start.
After opting to skip the Qatar Masters to fully take stock of his win ahead of a rest week on the DP World Tour schedule, Schott has been inundated by goodwill from his peers.
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“It was tough to realise at first," he said of the significance of his maiden win on the DP World Tour.
"I took some time [off], had some great time at home with my family and friends to realise [everything].
"But at the end of the day, I am here to play well again and that’s what I am after.
"Everyone came up to me to congratulate me. I felt really special. It’s just another thing [aspect] where I feel like I have arrived."
Despite only playing in two events of the ongoing International Swing, Schott sits fifth in the International Swing as he begins a three-week stretch in Africa that will also see him play at the Investec South African Open Championship and Joburg Open.
While a win may have freed him up, with the 24-year-old tenth in the Race to Dubai Rankings Delivered by DP World Tour, he is intent on building on his early season momentum.
“It feels very good,” he said. “We have put in some great work throughout the off-season.
"That it paid off wasn’t in the plan, but we will take it and keep trying to get better."
This is Schott’s third appearance at the Magical Kenya Open in as many years, having finished in a tie for seventh 12 months ago at Muthaiga Golf Club.
Despite the change in venue to Karen Country Club, he is excited about the new challenge it will present as he continues with the mini driver he brought into his bag for the win in Bahrain.
“I’m happy to be back in Kenya, playing a beautiful golf course and looking forward," he said.
"I think the course is really, really cool, especially with the set-up you can play around with it a little.
"There are some tricky tee shots as always in Kenya so really looking forward to that."
