Successful start for Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen at the DP World Tour. Several other German players also rank high after round one in Dubai.
Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen Impress at the Start in Dubai
The DP World Tour Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026 at Emirates Golf Club has officially begun. Although the round was interrupted shortly before the end, the DACH players can already be pleased with a mostly successful start.
Joel Girrbach stood out early on. As the first player on the course, the Swiss was unfazed by a bogey at the start and played flawlessly afterwards. 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 chance, which he flawlessly converted. Without further mistakes, he posted a 68 (-4) and is currently in an excellent fourth place after the first round.
Directly behind him, Nicolai von Dellingshausen also impressed. After a slow start and +1 after nine holes, the German surged on the back nine. Birdies on holes 10, 12, 13, and 16 demonstrated strong shots to the green and confident putting. He finished with five birdies total and a 69 (-3), keeping him within striking distance of the leaders, currently inside the top 10.
Leading the field is Italian Francesco Molinari, who played an almost flawless opening round to lead at -7. Four birdies on both the front and back nine and only one bogey on hole 12 gave him the early lead. Ahead of Girrbach and von Dellingshausen are Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4).
Other German Players in Good Position at the DP World Tour
Marcel Schneider had a mixed day. Four birdies provided momentum, but three bogeys prevented a better placement. With -1 after the first round, he remains in contention for the upcoming days.
Freddy Schott also finished at -1. Despite six strong birdies, five bogeys, including two after bunker shots and penalty strokes on holes 12 and 18, kept his score from being lower.
Marcel Siem started on the back nine and showed his class intermittently. A chip-in birdie on 16 and a well-played birdie on 5 from the trees were highlights. Despite several bogeys, he fought back to finish even par thanks to a birdie on the final hole.
Perfection from Marcel Siem 💯#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries