Successful start for Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen on the DP World Tour. Other German players also contend after round one in Dubai.
Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen impress at Dubai opener
The DP World Tour Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026 at Emirates Golf Club has kicked off. Although the round was suspended shortly before the end, the DACH players can already be proud of a mainly successful start.
Joel Girrbach led the charge with strong early form. Despite a bogey on the very first hole, the Swiss remained composed and played flawlessly thereafter. Birdies on holes 3 and 6 brought him back to even par by the turn. On the back nine, Girrbach excelled further: a perfect second shot on the Par 5 set up an eagle chance, which he confidently converted. Finishing the round at 68 (-4), he currently holds an excellent fourth place.
Nicolai von Dellingshausen also performed well. After a slow start with +1 after the first nine holes, the German surged on the back nine with birdies on holes 10, 12, 13, and 16, showcasing strong approach shots and solid putting. With a total of five birdies and a 69 (-3), he remains close to the leaders, currently inside the top 10.
Leading the field is Italian veteran Francesco Molinari, who posted a near flawless opening round. With seven under par, including four birdies on both the front and back nine and just one bogey on hole 12, he holds an early lead. Henrik Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4) also sit ahead of Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen.
Other German players with promising position on the DP World Tour
Marcel Schneider had a mixed day, bouncing between moments of momentum with four birdies, but three bogeys prevented a higher placing. He is at -1 after round one and well positioned for the upcoming days.
Freddy Schott also finished at -1 despite strong six birdies offset by five bogeys, including two after bunker shots and penalty strokes on holes 12 and 18.
Marcel Siem started on the back nine, demonstrating his skill with a chip-in birdie on 16 and another impressive birdie on 5 from the trees. Despite several bogeys, he fought back to finish even par with a birdie on the last hole.
Perfection from Marcel Siem 💯#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/6GXkEcdL9M
— DP World Tour (@DP