The DP World Tour kicks off its week with the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, where two Germans are among the early leaders.
The DP World Tour’s Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain has started, with two German players standing out against an international field on the first day.
Schott Takes the Lead, Von Dellingshausen Trails Close Behind on DP World Tour
Freddy Schott had a dream start, making six birdies on his first nine holes, including five in a row, quickly moving to the top of the leaderboard. Although a double bogey on the 10th slowed him briefly, he bounced back with birdies at the 14th and 17th and capped his round with an eagle on the last hole, sharing the lead at -7 with Spain’s Alejandro Del Rey, who carded a flawless round with seven birdies and no bogeys.
Nicolai von Dellingshausen held a strong chase position, delivering birdies on holes 3, 4, 6, and 7, plus an eagle at the 9th after a near perfect shot. Despite a bogey on 11, he recovered with birdies at 13 and 18, finishing the day at -6, showing precise approach shots creating multiple birdie opportunities.
Other DACH Players Show Mixed Results
Marcel Schneider sits mid-field after a mixed round that included five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey for a total of -1. Notably, he impressed on Par-3 holes with birdies on three of four such holes.
Swiss player Joel Girrbach posted a solid -2, starting with a birdie and eight pars before dropping two bogeys on the back nine, but regained ground with birdies on holes 15, 16, and 18.
Marcel Siem experienced ups and downs, narrowly missing a hole-in-one on the 7th, finishing with an even par front nine but ending the day at +2 after some early bogeys on the back nine.
Bernd Wiesberger and Maximilian Steinlechner each scored three birdies and six bogeys, finishing in the lower third of the field at +3.
Title Defense Mission Off to a Strong Start
Last year’s champion Laurie Canter from England is on track for a successful title defense after shooting -6 with seven birdies and just one bogey, placing him close to the leaders.
Notably, last week’s winner Patrick Reed announced he will not return to LIV Golf but will instead make his PGA Tour comeback in summer 2026. He had a mixed round with five birdies and four bogeys, finishing at -1, mid-field.
Due to a first-day interruption, some players have yet to complete their opening rounds.