Strong start for Joel Girrbach and Nicolai Von Dellingshausen at the DP World Tour. Other German players also feature prominently after round one in Dubai.
Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen Impress in Dubai Opener
The 2026 Hero Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club has kicked off on the DP World Tour. Although the round was briefly interrupted near the end, the DACH players can already be pleased with a mostly successful start.
Joel Girrbach from Switzerland showed strong early form. Despite a bogey at the first hole, he remained composed and played error-free afterwards. Birdies on holes 3 and 6 brought him back to even par before the turn. On the back nine, Girrbach impressed further with a perfect second shot on a par 5 setting up an eagle which he converted. He finished with a 68 (-4) and currently sits in an excellent fourth place after round one.
Close behind, German Nicolai Von Dellingshausen made a strong impression as well. After a slow start and +1 through nine holes, he picked up momentum with birdies on holes 10, 12, 13, and 16, showcasing precise approach shots and confident putting. He carded five birdies in total for a 69 (-3) putting him within striking distance of the leaders and inside the top ten at present.
Italian veteran Francesco Molinari leads the field after a near flawless opening round with -7. He produced four birdies on both the front and back nine and only suffered one bogey on the 12th hole. Ahead of Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen are also Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4).
Other Germans Hold Strong Positions on the DP World Tour
Marcel Schneider had a mixed day with four birdies interspersed by three bogeys. Finishing round one at -1, he remains well positioned for the upcoming days. Freddy Schott also posted -1 despite six birdies, offset by five bogeys including penalties on holes 12 and 18. Marcel Siem started on the back nine, highlighted by a chip-in birdie on 16 and a well-executed birdie on 5. Despite several bogeys, he battled back to finish even par, securing his spot for the next rounds.
Challenging Starts for Wiesberger, Steinlechner and Favorites
Bernd Wiesberger (+2) and Maximilian Steinlechner struggled more; Wiesberger managed two birdies against four bogeys, while Steinlechner faced difficulties with a +12 score through 16 holes and will complete his round tomorrow due to interruption. Among international stars, defending champion Rory McIlroy endured a double bogey after a water hazard but made three birdies, ending at +1. Last week’s winner Nacho Elvira also finished at +1 after a double bogey water penalty.