Germany’s Leonie Harm fired a bogey-free round of 65 (-8) to sit atop the leaderboard at the end of the first day of the 2026 Amundi German Masters in Hamburg.
On a calm and cold day at Green Eagle Golf Courses, the 28-year-old conquered the North Course – known as the Green Monster – rolling in eight birdies.
Harm went out in the first group of the day from the 10th tee and rolled in birdies at the 11th, 13th and 15th holes to make the turn in -3.
She then made further birdies on the second, fourth, fifth, seventh and ninth to seal a round of eight-under-par in her homeland.
“I’ve had a splendid ball striking day,” said Harm. “I don’t remember hitting it that close to your flag, potentially ever. It’s been a long time, and my putter was really hot.
“I’ve had a friend on the bag helping me, confirming my reads, which really helped because I was struggling a little bit lately to really get them to find the centre of the hole and they did today, which was great.
“I’m really proud of myself because I do tend to still just be in my own way if the conditions are slightly easier, and then if it’s harder, I actually hang in there quite well, so I just shoot the same score pretty much whatever the conditions are. Today, I really went after the flags, and that was such a good feeling that it worked out. I’m really happy right now.
“I just love having some German supporters out there. It’s so fun seeing the kids, being all happy and cheery about golf. It just a good atmosphere. I like the vibe of the event.”
Home favourite Esther Henseleit is just one stroke behind Harm after she fired a round of 66 (-7) on the North Course.
The Solheim Cup star got off to a hot start with four birdies on the trot on holes 10 to 13, she then rolled in another on the 15th and 18th to make the turn in -6.
Henseleit, a two-time LET winner, made a birdie on the first with her only dropped shot of the day on the second and rolled in another birdie on the seventh to be in solo second place.
“It was a great start,” said Henseleit. “I’m not sure I’ve ever done that with four birdies in a row to start! You do get the chances on those holes, they’re the shorter ones on the course.
“Eleven is a reachable par-five, so they’re the holes you want to take advantage of, so that was nice to see. I slowed down a little bit on the back nine, but those are the tricky holes you want to get through. Overall, I’m really happy. I was driving it good, in good position going into the greens, hit some close and holed some putts.
“It was great to see so many people out. There must have been five school classes out following and it was really cool to see so many young kids following. Plus, a lot of members from my home clubs here in Germany. I’m very happy I got to show them some good golf.”
Denmark’s Sofie Kibsgaard and Germany’s Laura Fünfstück are in a share of third place on five-under-par.
Kibsgaard began her day with a bogey but bounced back with back-to-back birdies on four and five before three on the trot on holes 10, 11 and 12.
The Dane finished her day well with a birdie on the 17th hole to seal a round of 68 on day one in Germany.
“The conditions were a lot easier today than the last few days,” said Kibsgaard. “On this course, you have to hit the fairway, hit the greens and that’s how you get around. That’s what I did today, and it was very solid. I made a lot of good putts. It seemed easy but it’s not, I know that.
“It’s a course that requires a lot of work and you have to focus on every shot and knowing that before coming here helped me prepare last week. It’s a really cool golf course and I’m happy to do well here. There’s a lot of golf left.
“Putting was my best bit because I hit a lot of good shots and I just made everything of the birdie chances I had. My driver as well and hitting so many fairways helps a lot.”
LET winner Fünfstück is the third German in the top four and had seven birdies during her round of 68 (-5) to also be T3.
“I’m pretty happy with that. I can think of a couple of holes and couple of shots where I’d like to clean up a little bit for tomorrow. I will hit a couple of shots afterwards and hopefully, good to go again for tomorrow,” said Fünfstück.
“My approach shots were really good, I set myself up with a lot of chances. I didn’t really make many mistakes, my putting was good today and I made quite a few.
“I do think home events are quite difficult because you have your own expectation and then everyone else’s as well. Sometimes that’s tougher to manage, but then you also have an immense support. There were a few spectators out there today and I felt that support. I would love to add this one to the collection.”
