Successful start for Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen on the DP World Tour. Other German players also feature prominently after round one in Dubai.
Girrbach and Von Dellingshausen Impress in Dubai Opening
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 be proud of a mostly successful start.
Foremost, Joel Girrbach showed strong form early on. As the first on the course, the Swiss player was not fazed by a bogey right at the start and played flawlessly 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 the par 5, setting up an eagle opportunity which he calmly converted. He carded a 68 (-4) to the clubhouse, currently standing in an excellent fourth place after round one.
Close behind, Nicolai von Dellingshausen also convinced. After a cautious start with +1 after nine holes, the German picked up momentum on the back nine. Birdies on holes 10, 12, 13, and 16 reflected strong iron shots and solid putting. He finished with five birdies total and a 69 (-3), keeping him within striking distance of the lead, currently inside the top 10.
Leading the field is Italian Francesco Molinari, who played an almost flawless opening round to take the lead at -7. He recorded four birdies on both the front and back nine and only one bogey on hole 12. Ahead of Girrbach and von Dellingshausen are also Mikael Lindberg (-5) and JC Ritchie (-4).
Other German Players in Good Position on the DP World Tour
Marcel Schneider had a mixed day. Four birdies gave him momentum at times, but three bogeys prevented a higher position. With -1 after round one, he remains well placed for the coming days.
Freddy Schott also finished at -1. Despite six strong birdies, five bogeys, including two bunkers and penalty strokes on holes 12 and 18, prevented a lower score.
Marcel Siem started on the back nine and showed his class intermittently. Highlights included a chip-in birdie on 16 and a well-played birdie from the trees on hole 5. Despite several bogeys, he fought back and finished even par thanks to a birdie on the final hole.
Perfection from Marcel Siem đź’Ż#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries