Successful start for Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen on the DP World Tour. Other German players are also near the top after round one in Dubai.
Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen Impress at the Dubai Opener
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, from the perspective of the DACH players, the start can already be considered largely successful.
Leading the way was Joel Girrbach from Switzerland, who showed strong early form. Starting first on the course, he remained composed after an opening bogey 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 with an eagle on the par-5, thanks to a perfect second shot. Finishing with a 68 (-4), he ranks an excellent fourth place after round one.
Close behind, German player Nicolai von Dellingshausen also showed strong performance. After a modest start and +1 after nine holes, he turned it around on the back nine with birdies on holes 10, 12, 13, and 16, thanks to solid approach shots and confident putting. Ending with five birdies total and a 69 (-3), he remains within striking distance of the lead, currently inside the top 10.
At the top of the leaderboard is Italian veteran Francesco Molinari, who played an almost flawless opening round and took the lead at -7. He recorded four birdies on both the front and back nine, with only one bogey on hole 12. Ahead of Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen are Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4).
Other German Players Well Positioned on DP World Tour
Marcel Schneider experienced an up-and-down day. Four birdies provided momentum at times, but three bogeys kept him from a better position. With -1 after round one, he remains well placed for the coming days.
Freddy Schott also finished at -1. Despite six birdies, five bogeys—including two after bunker shots and penalties on holes 12 and 18—prevented a lower score.
Marcel Siem started on the back nine and showed flashes of class with a chip-in birdie on 16 and a well-played birdie on 5 from the trees. Despite several bogeys, he fought back to finish even par thanks to a birdie on the final hole.
Perfection from Marcel Siem 💯#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries