Successful start for Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen on the DP World Tour. Other German players also feature prominently after round one in Dubai.
Girrbach and von Dellingshausen Impress In Dubai Opener
The DP World Tour Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026 at the Emirates Golf Club has kicked off. Although the round was interrupted shortly before the end, the DACH players can already be pleased with a mostly successful start.
Leading the way was Joel Girrbach from Switzerland, who showed strong early form. Despite a bogey at the first hole, he remained composed and played flawlessly afterward. Birdies on holes 3 and 6 brought him back to even par before the turn. On the back nine, Girrbach impressed further with an eagle on the par 5 after a perfect second shot. He finished with a 68 (-4) securing an excellent fourth place after round one.
Close behind, German Nicolai von Dellingshausen also showed strength. After a slow start with a +1 after nine holes, he surged on the back nine with birdies on holes 10, 12, 13, and 16 thanks to strong approach shots and solid putting. He recorded five birdies in total with a 69 (-3), placing him within striking distance of the lead and inside the Top 10.
At the top of the leaderboard is Italian veteran Francesco Molinari, who played an almost flawless opening round to lead at -7. He made four birdies on both the front and back nine, with only a single bogey on hole 12. Ahead of Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen stand also Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4).
Other German Players In Good Positions On DP World Tour
Marcel Schneider had a mixed day with four birdies providing momentum but three bogeys limiting his score. He remains in contention at -1 after round one.
Freddy Schott also finished at -1 despite six birdies; five bogeys including two after bunker shots and penalty strokes on holes 12 and 18 prevented a lower score.
Marcel Siem started on the back nine and showed flashes of class including a chip-in birdie on 16 and a well-earned birdie from the trees on 5. Despite several bogeys, he fought back to finish at even par thanks to a birdie on the final hole.
Perfection from Marcel Siem 💯#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/6GXkEcdL9M
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