Successful start for Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen at the DP World Tour. Several other German players also feature prominently after round one in Dubai.
Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen Impress in Dubai Debut
The 2026 DP World Tour Hero Dubai Desert Classic kicked off at the Emirates Golf Club. Although the round was briefly interrupted near the end, the DACH players can already be pleased with a largely successful start.
Joel Girrbach showed strong early form. As the first on the course, the Swiss player was not rattled by a bogey at the start and played flawlessly thereafter. Birdies on holes 3 and 6 brought him back to even par before the turn. On the back nine, Girrbach impressively continued: a perfect second shot on the par 5 gave him an eagle opportunity, which he converted confidently. He finished with a 68 (-4), placing him in an excellent fourth position after round one.
Close behind, Nicolai von Dellingshausen also impressed. After a slow start and a +1 after nine holes, the German picked up momentum on the back nine with birdies on holes 10, 12, 13, and 16, demonstrating strong iron play and steady 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 veteran Francesco Molinari, who carded a nearly flawless opening round to lead at -7. With four birdies on both front and back nine and only one bogey on hole 12, he set an early pace. Ahead of Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen are also Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4).
Other German Players Positioned Well on DP World Tour
Marcel Schneider had a day of ups and downs. Four birdies provided momentum at times, but three bogeys prevented a higher placement. At -1 after round one, he remains well placed for the coming days.
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 his class at times with a chip-in birdie on 16 and a well-executed birdie from the trees on hole 5. Despite multiple bogeys, he fought back to finish even par thanks to a birdie on the last hole.
Perfection from Marcel Siem 💯#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries