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 in Dubai Opener
The DP World Tour Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026 has kicked off at the Emirates Golf Club. Although the round was interrupted shortly before completion, the DACH players can already be satisfied with a mostly successful start.
Leading the way was Joel Girrbach from Switzerland, who showed strong early form. Despite a bogey at the first hole, he remained composed and played error-free thereafter. 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 the par 5 that led to an eagle. He finished with a 68 (-4), securing an excellent fourth place after round one.
Close behind, German player Nicolai von Dellingshausen also made a strong showing. After a slow start and +1 after nine holes, he surged on the back nine with birdies on holes 10, 12, 13, and 16, reflecting his precise approach shots and confident putting. He ended the day with five birdies overall and a 69 (-3), placing him within striking distance of the leaders and inside the top 10.
At the top of the leaderboard sits Italian Francesco Molinari, who played a near-flawless opening round with seven under par. Four birdies on both the front and back nine, offset by a single bogey on hole 12, gave him an early lead. Ahead of Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen are also Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4).
Other Germans in Strong Position on DP World Tour
Marcel Schneider had a mixed day with four birdies providing momentum but three bogeys holding him back. He remains at -1, well placed for the coming days. Freddy Schott also finished at -1 despite a strong six birdies, offset by five bogeys including two after bunker shots and penalties on holes 12 and 18.
Marcel Siem began on the back nine and showcased his class with a chip-in birdie on 16 and a well-earned birdie on 5 from the trees. Despite several bogeys, he battled back to finish even par, capped by a birdie on the last hole.
Perfection from Marcel Siem 💯#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/6GXkEcdL9M
— DP World Tour