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 at Dubai Kickoff
The DP World Tour’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2026 at the Emirates Golf Club has officially begun. Despite a late-round suspension, the DACH players have so far made a predominantly successful start.
Swiss player Joel Girrbach showed strong early form. Unfazed by an opening bogey, he recovered with birdies on the 3rd and 6th holes and remained flawless on the back nine, including a clutch eagle on a par 5. He finished with an excellent 68 (-4), placing him in 4th position after round one.
Not far behind, German Nicolai von Dellingshausen impressed as well. After a cautious front nine at +1, he surged with birdies on holes 10, 12, 13, and 16, finishing with five birdies total and a 69 (-3), putting him within striking distance of the leaders and in the top 10 currently.
Leading the field is Italian veteran Francesco Molinari, who shot a near flawless opening round of -7, featuring four birdies on both the front and back nine and a single bogey on 12. Also ahead of Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen are Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4).
Other German Players in Strong Positions
Marcel Schneider had a mixed day with four birdies offset by three bogeys, finishing at -1 and remaining well poised for the coming days.
Freddy Schott also closed at -1 despite six birdies, with five bogeys and penalties keeping his score from being lower.
Marcel Siem started his round on the back nine, highlighting a chip-in birdie on hole 16 and a creatively played birdie on 5. Despite multiple bogeys, he finished level par thanks to a birdie on the last hole.
Mixed Starts for Wiesberger and Steinlechner
Bernd Wiesberger (+2) and Maximilian Steinlechner had less favorable rounds. Wiesberger notched two birdies but four bogeys. Steinlechner faced challenges with early bogeys leading to a difficult round; after 16 holes, he stood at +12 and will complete his round tomorrow due to suspension.
Favorites Face Early Challenges
International stars also struggled early on. Defending champion Rory McIlroy recovered from a double bogey caused by a water hazard to finish +1. Similarly, last week’s winner Nacho Elvira also ended the day at +1 after a double bogey from a water hazard.