Successful start for Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen at the DP World Tour. Other German players are also in the mix after round one in Dubai.
Girrbach and von Dellingshausen Impress in Dubai Opener
The Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026 at Emirates Golf Club has kicked off on the DP World Tour. Although the round was interrupted just before the end, DACH players can already celebrate a mostly successful start.
Joel Girrbach led the way showing strong early form. The Swiss player wasn’t shaken by an opening bogey and played faultlessly afterward. Birdies on holes 3 and 6 brought him back to even par by the turn. On the back nine, Girrbach impressed further by eagling a par 5 after a perfect second shot. He finished with an error-free 68 (-4), placing him in an excellent fourth position after round one.
Close behind, Nicolai von Dellingshausen also showed strong play. After a quiet start with +1 on the front nine, the German surged on the back nine with birdies on holes 10, 12, 13, and 16, showcasing solid iron shots and putting. Finishing with five birdies total for a 69 (-3), he stays close to the leaders and currently sits within the top 10.
Leading the field is Italian veteran Francesco Molinari, who carded an almost flawless opening round at -7. With four birdies on each nine and only one bogey on hole 12, Molinari holds an early lead. Ahead of Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen are also Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4).
Other Germans Well Placed on the DP World Tour
Marcel Schneider had a mixed day with four birdies generating momentum but three bogeys preventing a higher placement. He ended the round at -1, well positioned for the following days.
Freddy Schott also finished at -1 despite six birdies, as five bogeys—including two after bunker shots and penalties on holes 12 and 18—kept his score from going lower.
Marcel Siem started on the back nine and showed glimpses of brilliance including a chip-in birdie on 16 and a well-earned birdie on 5 through the trees. Despite multiple bogeys, he battled back and closed with a birdie on the last hole to finish even par.
Perfection from Marcel Siem 💯#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/6GXkEcdL9M
— DP World Tour (@