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Strong Start for DACH Players at DP World Tour in Dubai Desert Classic

Strong Start for DACH Players at DP World Tour in Dubai Desert Classic
Joel Girrbach and Nicolai Von Dellingshausen impress in opening round in Dubai. (Photos: Getty)

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 at DP World Tour Kick-off in Dubai

The DP World Tour Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026 at the Emirates Golf Club has begun. Although the round was interrupted shortly before the end, the DACH players can already claim a mostly successful start.

Joel Girrbach led the way in strong early form. The Swiss player remained unfazed after an early bogey and played flawlessly afterwards. 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 a par 5 after a perfect second shot. Finishing with a 68 (-4), he currently holds an excellent fourth place.

Close behind, Nicolai von Dellingshausen also impressed. After a slow start with +1 through nine holes, the German player surged on the back nine with birdies on holes 10, 12, 13, and 16, showcasing strong approach shots and putting. He finished with five birdies and a 69 (-3), placing him within striking distance of the leaders and inside the top 10.

At the top is Italian Francesco Molinari, who delivered a near flawless opening round, leading with -7. He carded four birdies on the front nine and four more on the back nine with only one bogey at hole 12. Ahead of Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen are Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4).

Other German Players in Strong Position at DP World Tour

Marcel Schneider had a mixed day with four birdies and three bogeys, finishing at -1 and staying well poised for the coming days. Freddy Schott also finished at -1 despite six birdies offset by five bogeys and penalties on holes 12 and 18. Marcel Siem, starting on the back nine, displayed highlights including a chip-in birdie on 16 and a birdie from the trees on 5. He finished even par thanks to a birdie on the final hole despite several bogeys.