The DP World Tour kicks off a new tournament week with the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship. Two Germans stand out on the opening day.
The DP World Tour Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship has begun at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain. Two German players have made strong moves against the international field on the first day.
Schott Takes the Lead on DP World Tour, Von Dellingshausen Close Behind
Freddy Schott got off to a dream start, recording six birdies in his first nine holes, including a streak of five in a row, quickly climbing to the top of the leaderboard. Despite a double bogey on the 10th hole momentarily halting his momentum, Schott bounced back with birdies on the 14th and 17th holes and capped his round with an eagle on the final hole, sharing the lead at -7 alongside Spaniard Alejandro Del Rey, who posted a flawless round with seven birdies and no bogeys.
In close pursuit is Nicolai von Dellingshausen. After an impressive front nine with birdies on holes 3, 4, 6, and 7, and an eagle on the 9th following a nearly perfect approach shot, he stood at -5. A bogey on the 11th was quickly countered with birdies on the 13th and 18th, finishing at -6 to enter the second day in a strong chasing position, driven by his precise approach shots.
Mixed Results for Other German-speaking Players
Marcel Schneider is positioned in the middle of the field after the first round, with a performance including five birdies balanced by two bogeys and a double bogey, totaling -1. Notably, he excelled on the par-3 holes, birdying three out of four.
Joel Girrbach from Switzerland finished with a -2, starting steady with a birdie and eight pars but dropping two bogeys on the back nine. He recovered with birdies on holes 15, 16, and 18 to secure his under-par round.
Marcel Siem experienced ups and downs, narrowly missing a hole-in-one on the 7th, where he also birdied the 9th, finishing the front nine at even par. Early bogeys on the back nine and another birdie on the 14th were offset by a final bogey, ending his day at +2.
Bernd Wiesberger and Maximilian Steinlechner both finished with three birdies and six bogeys, placing them in the lower third of the field at +3.
Title Defense Off to Strong Start
Last year’s winner, Laurie Canter, is on course to defend his title, carding three birdies on the front nine and four more on the back nine for a -6, staying within striking distance of the lead.
Notably, last week’s winner Patrick Reed announced before the tournament that he will not return to LIV Golf but plans to make a PGA Tour comeback in summer 2026. He posted a mixed round with five birdies and four bogeys,