Successful start for Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen on the DP World Tour. Several German players are also among the leaders after round one in Dubai.
Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen Impress in 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, the DACH players can already claim a predominantly successful start.
Joel Girrbach of Switzerland showed strong early form. Despite a bogey at the beginning, he rebounded quickly with birdies on holes 3 and 6, reaching even par at the turn. On the back nine, Girrbach impressed with an eagle on the par 5 following a perfect second shot. He finished his round with a flawless 68 (-4), placing him a strong fourth after round one.
Just behind him, German Nicolai von Dellingshausen also performed well. After a slow start with +1 after nine holes, he caught fire on the back nine, posting birdies on holes 10, 12, 13 and 16. He concluded with five birdies total and a 69 (-3), positioning himself within striking distance of the leaders.
Leading the field is Italian veteran Francesco Molinari, who carded a near flawless opening round of -7 with four birdies on each nine and only one bogey at hole 12. Also ahead of Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen are Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4).
Other German Players Holding Strong Positions
Marcel Schneider had a mixed day with four birdies but three bogeys, finishing at -1 and staying in contention for the coming days. Freddy Schott also finished at -1 despite six birdies offset by five bogeys, including penalty strokes on holes 12 and 18. Marcel Siem, starting on the back nine, showcased his skill with a chip-in birdie on 16 and another birdie on 5, finishing even par despite some bogeys.
Mixed Start for Wiesberger, Steinlechner and Favorites
Bernd Wiesberger (+2) and Maximilian Steinlechner struggled more; Wiesberger had four bogeys against two birdies, whereas Steinlechner faced a tough round finishing at +12 after 16 holes due to penalties and bogeys. The round interruption means he must complete the remaining holes tomorrow.
International favorites also faced difficulties. Defending champion Rory McIlroy battled a double bogey after a water hazard and finished at +1, matched by last week’s winner Nacho Elvira who also suffered a double bogey from a water hazard.
Rory McIlroy nearly holes out for eagle at the 6th! 🎯#HeroDubaiDesertClassic |