The DP World Tour kicks off a new tournament week with the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship. Two German players are leading after the first day.
The DP World Tour Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship has started at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain. Two German players stood out against the international field on the opening day.
Schott Takes the Lead on DP World Tour, Von Dellingshausen Follows
Freddy Schott had a dream start with 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 the 14th and 17th and an eagle on the final hole to finish at -7, sharing the lead with Spaniard Alejandro Del Rey who shot a flawless round with seven birdies and no bogeys.
Close behind is Nicolai von Dellingshausen. With birdies on holes 3, 4, 6, and 7 plus an eagle on the 9th, he stood at -5 after the front nine. Although he bogeyed the 11th, he recovered with birdies on the 13th and 18th to finish the day at -6, a strong position heading into day two. His accuracy hitting greens was key to his score.
Other DACH Players Show Mixed Results
Marcel Schneider sits in the middle of the field at -1 after a round with five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey. He notably excelled on par-3s, making birdies on three of four such holes. Joel Girrbach, from Switzerland, carded a -2 round, recovering from a couple of bogeys on the back nine with birdies on holes 15, 16, and 18. Marcel Siem experienced ups and downs with near hole-in-one on the 7th, finishing at +2. Bernd Wiesberger and Maximilian Steinlechner both ended the day at +3.
Title Defense Off to a Strong Start
Last year’s champion Laurie Canter is on track to defend his title. He posted seven birdies and just one bogey for a -6 score, remaining in striking distance of the lead. Meanwhile, recent winner Patrick Reed announced he will not return to LIV Golf and plans a PGA Tour comeback in summer 2026. Reed had a mixed round of five birdies and four bogeys, finishing the day at -1.
Due to delays on the first day, not all players have completed their opening round.