Successful start for Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen at the DP World Tour. Several German players are also among the leaders after round one in Dubai.
Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen Impress in Dubai Opener
The DP World Tour Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026 has kicked off at the Emirates Golf Club. Although the round was briefly suspended near the end, the DACH players can already be pleased with a predominantly successful start.
Joel Girrbach led the way in strong early form. As the first on the course, the Swiss player was not rattled by an early bogey and played flawlessly thereafter. Birdies on holes 3 and 6 brought him back to even par before the turn. On the back nine, Girrbach impressed further with a perfect second shot on the par 5 setting up an eagle chance which he coolly converted. He finished with a 68 (-4), sitting in an excellent fourth place after round one.
Close behind, Nicolai von Dellingshausen also impressed. After a subdued start and +1 after the front nine, the German found his rhythm on the back nine with birdies at holes 10, 12, 13 and 16 demonstrating strong approach shots and steady putting. He carded five birdies in total and shot a 69 (-3), placing him within striking distance of the leaders and currently inside the top 10.
Leading the field is Italian veteran Francesco Molinari. The experienced player carded an almost flawless opening round with seven under par, sharing four birdies on both the front and back nine and only one bogey on hole 12 to take an early lead. Ahead of Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen lie Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4).
Other German Players Well Positioned on DP World Tour
Marcel Schneider had a mixed day. Four birdies provided momentum at times, but three bogeys prevented a higher placement. With -1 after round one, he remains well placed for the coming days.
Freddy Schott also posted -1 despite six birdies, as five bogeys including two bunker shots and penalty strokes on holes 12 and 18 kept his score from being lower.
Marcel Siem started on the back nine and demonstrated his class intermittently. Highlights were a chip-in birdie at 16 and a well-played birdie on the 5th from the trees. Despite several bogeys, he battled back to finish even par thanks to a birdie on the last hole.
Perfection from Marcel Siem 💯#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries