The DP World Tour kicks off a new week with the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, where two Germans lead after day one.
The DP World Tour Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship has begun at the Royal Golf Club in Bahrain, with two Germans standing out against the international field on the opening day.
Schott Takes the Lead on the DP World Tour, Von Dellingshausen Close Behind
Freddy Schott had a dream start on day one, making a statement early with six birdies in his first nine holes, including five in a row, quickly moving to the top of the leaderboard. A double bogey on his tenth hole briefly slowed his momentum, but Schott remained unfazed, adding birdies on 14 and 17 with only one more bogey, finishing his round with an eagle on the last hole to share the lead at -7 with Spain’s Alejandro Del Rey, who shot a flawless round without a bogey and seven birdies.
Chasing closely is Nicolai von Dellingshausen, who produced strong front nine with birdies on holes 3, 4, 6, and 7 and an eagle on the 9th after a near-perfect approach shot. After a bogey on the 11th, he bounced back with birdies on 13 and 18 to end the day at -6 in a promising position.
Other DACH Players Show Mixed Results
Marcel Schneider sits in the middle of the field after the first round with a fluctuating performance of five birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey for a -1 total. Notably, he excelled on the par-3 holes, birdying three of the four.
Swiss Joel Girrbach finished at -2, starting solidly with a birdie, eight pars, and recovering from two bogeys on the back nine with birdies on 15, 16, and 18 to secure an under-par round.
Marcel Siem had an up-and-down round. After bogeys on 4 and 5 and narrowly missing a hole-in-one on 7, he made a birdie on 9 and even par going into the back nine. However, two early bogeys on the back nine and a late bogey prevented a comeback, ending the day at +2.
Bernd Wiesberger and Maximilian Steinlechner both stand at +3 with three birdies and six bogeys each, in the lower third of the leaderboard.
Defending Champion Starts Strong
Last year’s winner Laurie Canter is on track to defend his title, carding three birdies on the front nine and four more on the back nine with just one bogey for a -6 total, keeping him close to the lead.
Headlines were also made by recent winner Patrick Reed, who announced before the tournament that he will not return to LIV Golf but plans a comeback on the PGA Tour in summer 2026. He posted a mixed round with five birdies and four bogeys, sitting at -1 in the middle of the field.
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