Successful start for Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen on the DP World Tour. Other German players are also among the leaders after round one in Dubai.
Girrbach and von Dellingshausen Impress in Dubai Opener
The Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026 at Emirates Golf Club marked the start of the DP World Tour. Although the round was interrupted shortly before the end, DACH players can already be pleased with a mostly successful opening day.
Leading the charge was Joel Girrbach, showing strong early form. The Swiss player was unfazed by a bogey on the first hole and played flawlessly thereafter. Birdies on holes 3 and 6 brought him back to even par before the turn. On the back nine, Girrbach made an impressive move: a perfect second shot on a par 5 set up an eagle chance which he calmly converted. Finishing with a 68 (-4), he is currently tied for fourth place after round one.
Close behind, Nicolai von Dellingshausen also impressed. After a modest start and +1 at the turn, the German picked up momentum on the back nine with birdies on holes 10, 12, 13 and 16, showing strong approach shots and confident putting. He finished with five birdies and a 69 (-3), keeping him within striking distance of the leaders inside the top 10.
At the top of the leaderboard is Italian veteran Francesco Molinari. He played an almost flawless opening round, leading with -7 thanks to four birdies on both the front and back nine and just one bogey on the 12th hole. Ahead of Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen are also Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4).
Other German Players Hold Good Positions on DP World Tour
Marcel Schneider experienced a mixed day. Four birdies provided momentum, but three bogeys prevented a better placement. With -1 after round one, he remains well-positioned for the upcoming days.
Freddy Schott also finished at -1 despite six birdies, though five bogeys – including two penalty strokes and mistakes on holes 12 and 18 – kept his score from being lower.
Marcel Siem started on the back nine and showed flashes of class, highlighted by a chip-in birdie on 16 and a well-played birdie from the trees on 5. Despite several bogeys, he fought back to finish even par thanks to a birdie on the final hole.
Perfection from Marcel Siem 💯#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/