Successful start for Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen at 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 has kicked off at the Emirates Golf Club. Although the round was interrupted shortly before completion, the DACH players can already be pleased with a largely successful start.
Leading the way was Joel Girrbach from Switzerland, who showed strong early form. Despite a bogey at the very beginning, he remained composed and played flawlessly thereafter. Birdies on holes 3 and 6 brought him back to even par by the turn. On the back nine, Girrbach impressed further with a perfect second shot on the par 5, enabling an eagle chance which he confidently converted. He finished with a 68 (-4), placing him in an excellent fourth position after round one.
Close behind, German Nicolai von Dellingshausen also performed well. After a cautious start and +1 at the turn, he picked up momentum on the back nine with birdies on holes 10, 12, 13, and 16, showing strong greens play and confident putting. With five birdies total and a 69 (-3), he stays within striking distance of the leaders, currently holding a spot in the top 10.
At the top of the leaderboard stands Italian Francesco Molinari, who played an almost flawless opening round, shooting -7. He carded four birdies on both front and back nine, with only one bogey on hole 12 securing his early lead. Ahead of Girrbach and von Dellingshausen are also Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4).
Other German Players in Strong Positions on the DP World Tour
Marcel Schneider experienced a mixed day with four birdies providing momentum but three bogeys limiting his placement. He remains in close 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 better score.
Marcel Siem started on the back nine and showed flashes of brilliance with a chip-in birdie on 16 and a well-played birdie from the trees on 5. Despite multiple bogeys, he battled back to finish at even par thanks to a birdie on the final hole.
Perfection from Marcel Siem 💯#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/6GXkEcdL9M
— DP World