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Strong Start for DACH Players at DP World Tour Hero Dubai Desert Classic

Strong Start for DACH Players at DP World Tour Hero Dubai Desert Classic
Joel Girrbach and Nicolai Von Dellingshausen impress in the opening round in Dubai. (Photos: Getty)

Successful start for Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen at the DP World Tour. Several German players are prominent 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 the Emirates Golf Club has kicked off. Although the round was interrupted shortly before the end, DACH players can already be pleased with a mostly successful start.

Leading the charge, Joel Girrbach showed strong early form. As the first on the course, the Swiss player was unfazed 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 impressed further: a perfect second shot on the par 5 gave him an eagle chance, which he coolly converted. He finished with a 68 (-4), placing him in an excellent fourth after round one.

Close behind, Nicolai von Dellingshausen also impressed. After a slow start, being +1 after nine holes, the German picked up momentum on the back nine.The four birdies on holes 10, 12, 13 and 16 reflected strong approach shots and confident putting. Finishing with five birdies total and a 69 (-3), he remains within striking distance of the leaders. He is currently in the top 10.

At the top of the field is Italian Francesco Molinari. The veteran played an almost flawless opening round, taking the lead at -7. Four birdies on both the front and back nine, with only one bogey on hole 12, secured his early lead. Ahead of Girrbach and von Dellingshausen are also Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4).

Other Germans in Good Position on the DP World Tour

Marcel Schneider experienced a mixed day. Four birdies provided momentum, but three bogeys prevented a higher ranking. After the first round, he remains well positioned at -1 for the next 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 his round on the back nine and showcased his class. A chip-in birdie on 16 and a well-played birdie from the trees on 5 were highlights. Despite several bogeys, he fought back and closed with a birdie on the last hole for even par.