Successful start for Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen on the DP World Tour. Several German players are among the leaders after round one in Dubai.
Girrbach and von Dellingshausen impress at the start in Dubai
The Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026 at Emirates Golf Club, part of the DP World Tour, has kicked off. Although the round was interrupted shortly before the end, the DACH players have so far had a mostly successful start.
Joel Girrbach of Switzerland showed strong early form. As the first on the course, he remained composed after an opening bogey and played faultlessly thereafter. Birdies on holes 3 and 6 brought him back to even par before the turn. He then impressed on the back nine with an eagle on a par-5 hole and finished his round with a 68 (-4), currently sitting in an excellent fourth place.
Close behind, German player Nicolai von Dellingshausen also impressed. After a slow start with a +1 on the front nine, he picked up pace on the back nine with birdies on holes 10, 12, 13 and 16, finishing with a total of five birdies and a 69 (-3), placing him within striking distance of the leaders and inside the top 10.
At the top of the leaderboard stands Italian veteran Francesco Molinari, who played a near-flawless opening round to lead with -7. He carded four birdies each on the front and back nine with only one bogey on hole 12. Ahead of Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen are also Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4).
Other German players in good positions on the DP World Tour
Marcel Schneider had a mixed day with four birdies and three bogeys, finishing at -1 and remaining well placed for the coming days.
Freddy Schott also finished at -1 despite six birdies, hindered by five bogeys including two from bunker shots and penalty strokes on holes 12 and 18.
Marcel Siem started on the back nine and showcased his class with a chip-in birdie on 16 and a well-played birdie on 5, finishing even par.
Troubled start for Wiesberger and Steinlechner
Bernd Wiesberger (+2) and Maximilian Steinlechner had a tougher opening round. Wiesberger recorded two birdies and four bogeys, while Steinlechner struggled with a double bogey and penalty strokes, standing at +12 after 16 holes, having to complete his round the next day due to interruption.
Favorites face early challenges
International stars also faced difficulties. Defending champion Rory McIlroy had a double bogey after a water hazard and closed at +1, as did last week’s winner Nacho Elvira.