Francesco Molinari Leads Dubai Desert Classic After Stunning Round One Performance

Francesco Molinari surged into an early advantage at the Dubai Desert Classic after an opening 65 gave a two-shot cushion. The seven-under round placed Molinari clear of the field after day one, putting

the 2018 Open champion in a strong position as the tournament at Emirates Golf Club moved into its second round.

The Italian, now ranked 418th in the world, has been searching for another European Tour triumph since lifting the Claret Jug at Carnoustie in 2018. Molinari is also chasing a first victory since the 2019 Arnold Palmer Invitational and a first Rolex Series title since the 2018 BMW PGA Championship.

Molinari ended round one ahead of Sweden's Mikael Lindberg, who sat alone in second place, two shots back. Switzerland's Joel Girrbach and South Africa's JC Ritchie shared third, three strokes behind the leader, as a tightly packed chasing group formed early in the Dubai Desert Classic week.

Although Molinari believed a good score was possible, the margin surprised the experienced player. "It's not super unexpected but I wasn't expecting a score like that," Molinari said. "Last week I felt very rusty, so I was hoping it would be very good prep for this week. Yeah, putter was the biggest difference to be honest. I made some nice putts. I kept the round going in the middle, when I played a couple of iffy holes but made some good pars. I'm very, very pleased with the start. "

Round one leader Francesco Molinari is looking to claim his first win since the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2019, and first Rolex Series since the 2018 BMW PGA Championship 🇮🇹#HeroDubaiDesertClassic | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/sXQLSk2c3xDP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 22, 2026

The low score came from eight birdies, including four in the first five holes that set the tone. Molinari then closed strongly at the Dubai Desert Classic, finishing his round with three successive birdies, while key par saves during a tricky middle stretch kept momentum on a course where errors can quickly punish.

While Molinari progressed, Rory McIlroy faced a more testing opening day in Dubai. McIlroy signed for a one-over-par 73, which left an eight-shot gap to Molinari after a closing double bogey. The Northern Irish player now needs a strong response across the remaining rounds to rejoin contention at the Dubai Desert Classic.

Molinari's position after round one at the Dubai Desert Classic offers a significant chance to end a long winless period. With a narrow but clear lead over Lindberg, Girrbach and Ritchie, the focus now turns to whether Molinari can sustain this level over four days and convert a promising start into another title on the DP World Tour.