Successful start for Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen at the DP World Tour. Other German players also make a strong impression after round one in Dubai.
Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen Impress at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic
The DP World Tour Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026 at the Emirates Golf Club has kicked off. Although the round was interrupted shortly before the end, the DACH players can already report a mostly successful start.
Foremost, Swiss player Joel Girrbach showed strong early form. As the first on the course, he remained composed after an opening bogey and then played flawlessly. Birdies on holes 3 and 6 brought him back to even par before the turn. On the back nine, Girrbach impressed further: a perfect second shot on the par 5 gave him an eagle opportunity, which he confidently converted. He finished with a 68 (-4) and currently holds an excellent fourth place after round one.
Right behind, German Nicolai von Dellingshausen also performed well. After a cautious start and +1 after nine holes, he picked up momentum on the back nine with birdies on holes 10, 12, 13, and 16, demonstrating strong approach shots and solid putting. He finished with five birdies total and a 69 (-3), keeping him within striking distance of the lead and inside the top 10.
Leading the field is Italian Francesco Molinari. The veteran carded an almost flawless opening round with -7, including four birdies on both the front and back nine and only one bogey on the 12th hole, to lead early. Ahead of Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen are also Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4).
More German Players in Strong Positions at the DP World Tour
Marcel Schneider had a mixed day. Four birdies provided momentum, but three bogeys prevented a higher placement. With -1 after round one, he remains well positioned for the days ahead.
Freddy Schott also finished at -1. Despite six birdies, five bogeys including two after bunker shots and penalties on holes 12 and 18 kept his score from being lower.
Marcel Siem started on the back nine and showed flashes of class, including a chip-in birdie on 16 and a well-played birdie from the trees on hole 5. Despite several bogeys, he fought back to finish even par thanks to a birdie on the final hole.
Perfection from Marcel Siem 💯#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com