Successful start for Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen on the DP World Tour. Several German players are also near the top 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 Emirates Golf Club has kicked off. Although the round had to be paused shortly before the end, the DACH players can already look back on a mostly successful start.
Joel Girrbach led the way with strong early form. The Swiss player started with a bogey but remained composed 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 opportunity, which he calmly converted. Without further errors, he finished with a 68 (-4) and is currently in an excellent fourth place.
Close behind, Nicolai von Dellingshausen also impressed. After a slow start and +1 after nine holes, the German player picked up momentum on the back nine. Birdies on holes 10, 12, 13, and 16 showcased strong approaches and confident putting. He recorded five birdies overall and a 69 (-3), keeping him within striking distance of the lead, currently inside the top 10.
Leading the field is Italian Francesco Molinari, who played an almost flawless opening round and holds the lead at -7. Four birdies on the front nine and four more on the back nine, with only one bogey on hole 12, earned him this early advantage. Ahead of Girrbach and von Dellingshausen are also Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4).
Other German Players in Good Positions on the DP World Tour
Marcel Schneider had a mixed day. Four birdies created momentum periodically, but three bogeys prevented a higher placement. At -1 after round one, he remains well positioned for the coming 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—prevented a lower score.
Marcel Siem started on the back nine and showed his class at times. A chip-in birdie on 16 and a strong birdie on the 5th from the trees were the highlights. Despite several bogeys, he fought back to finish even par thanks to a birdie on the final hole.
Perfection from Marcel Siem 💯#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries