The DP World Tour kicks off a new tournament week with the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship. Two Germans rise to the top on opening day.
The DP World Tour Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship has started at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain. Notably, two German players stood out against the international field on the first day.
Schott Takes the Lead on the DP World Tour, Von Dellingshausen Close Behind
Freddy Schott got off to a dream start on the opening day, quickly making an impression. The German recorded six birdies in his first nine holes, five of them in a row, swiftly moving to the top of the leaderboard. A double bogey on the tenth hole temporarily slowed his momentum, but Schott remained unfazed: birdies on 14 and 17, along with only one further bogey, got him back on track. He crowned his round with an eagle on the final hole and shared the lead at -7 with Spaniard Alejandro Del Rey, who posted a flawless round without bogeys and seven birdies.
In pursuit is Nicolai von Dellingshausen. After a strong front nine with birdies on holes 3, 4, 6, and 7 plus an eagle on the 9th—a perfect approach shot landing just centimeters from the pin—he stood at -5. Although he bogeyed the 11th, he responded with more birdies on 13 and 18. He heads into the second round with an impressive -6, largely thanks to his precise approach shots bringing many birdie opportunities.
Other DACH Players Show Mixed Results
Marcel Schneider sits in the middle of the pack after round one. His round was uneven with five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey, finishing at -1. His strong play was especially noticeable on par-3 holes where he recorded birdies on three of four such holes.
Joel Girrbach finished the day at -2. The Swiss player started solidly with a birdie and eight pars, but sustained two bogeys on the back nine. Birdies on 15, 16, and 18 helped him regain under-par status.
Marcel Siem experienced a rollercoaster day. After bogeys on 4 and 5, he narrowly missed a hole-in-one on 7 but managed a birdie there and another on 9, reaching even par at the turn. However, two early bogeys on the back nine challenged him, though he added a birdie on 14. Another bogey prevented a comeback, ending the day at +2.
Bernd Wiesberger and Maximilian Steinlechner both carded three birdies and six bogeys, finishing at +3 and placing in the lower third of the field.
Defending Champion Off to a Strong Start
Last year’s winner Laurie Canter is on track to defend his title. The Englishman made three birdies on the front nine and added four more on the back nine, with just one bogey, putting him at -6 and close to the lead.