The DP World Tour kicks off the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship with two Germans moving to the front after the first round.
The DP World Tour Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship has started at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain, where two German players stood out against the international field on day one.
Schott Takes the Lead on the DP World Tour, Von Dellingshausen Close Behind
Freddy Schott had a dream start, making six birdies in his first nine holes, including five in a row, quickly moving to the top of the leaderboard. Despite a double bogey on the tenth hole, he bounced back with birdies on 14 and 17 and finished with an eagle on the final hole, tying the lead at -7 with Spain’s Alejandro Del Rey who shot a flawless round without a bogey and seven birdies.
Nicolai von Dellingshausen is in chasing position, posting strong front nine with birdies on holes 3, 4, 6 and 7 plus an eagle on 9 after a perfect approach shot. Although he bogeyed 11, he recovered with birdies on 13 and 18 to finish at -6 heading into the second round, thanks to his precise approach shots.
Mixed Results from Other DACH Players
Marcel Schneider sits in the mid-field after round one with a fluctuating performance of five birdies but also two bogeys and a double bogey for a total of -1, notably strong on par 3s with birdies on three out of four par 3 holes.
Joel Girrbach from Switzerland finished at -2, starting solidly with a birdie and eight pars before two bogeys on the back nine but recovered with birdies on 15, 16 and 18.
Marcel Siem experienced ups and downs; after two early bogeys he nearly scored a hole-in-one on 7, making birdies on 7 and 9 to be even par at the turn. However, two early bogeys on the back nine and a late bogey ended his round at +2.
Bernd Wiesberger and Maximilian Steinlechner both finished with three birdies and six bogeys at +3, placing them in the lower third of the field.
Title Defense Mission Off to a Strong Start
Reigning champion Laurie Canter is on track to defend his title, making three birdies on the front nine and four more on the back nine with just one bogey to post -6, close to the lead.
Noteworthy is last week’s winner Patrick Reed, who announced he will not return to LIV Golf but plans a 2026 summer comeback on the PGA Tour. Reed had a mixed round with five birdies and four bogeys finishing in the middle of the pack at -1.
Due to interruptions on the first day, not all players have completed their opening round yet.