Nicolai von Dellingshausen fires a bogey-free 65 to start the DP World Tour finale in Abu Dhabi. Marcel Schneider posts even par.
Germany’s Nicolai von Dellingshausen delivered a stellar opening round at the DP World Tour Championship in Abu Dhabi. With seven birdies and no mistakes, his clean 65 placed him in a tie for sixth, just one shot behind the leaders. Fellow German Marcel Schneider had a more subdued start, carding an even-par 72.
Strong start for Von Dellingshausen at DP World Tour finale
Von Dellingshausen looked composed from the outset. His first birdie came at the par-5 2nd, followed by another on the 3rd. After a string of pars, he caught fire on the closing holes of the front nine, birdieing 7, 8, and 9 for a front-nine 31. He kept the momentum going on the back nine with a sand save birdie on 11 and capped his round with another birdie on the 18th. His bogey-free 65 puts him in prime position heading into round two.
Schneider steady but unspectacular
Marcel Schneider opened with nine straight pars, finally breaking through with a birdie on the par-5 11th. A bogey on 13 was quickly answered with a birdie on 14, but a missed up-and-down on the 18th left him at even par. He sits tied for 59th after round one.
Lowry and Fleetwood share the lead
The leaderboard is topped by five players at eight under par, including Ryder Cup teammates Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood. Playing in the same group, Lowry carded nine birdies and one bogey for a 64, while Fleetwood went bogey-free with eight birdies. The duo, along with Rasmus Højgaard, fed off each other’s energy. “I just tried to keep up with Tommy,” said Lowry. Fleetwood added, “Playing with friends can bring out your best golf.” They share the lead with Kazuma Kobori, Richard Sterne, and Adrien Saddier.