England’s Penge claims maiden DP World Tour title

Hainan Classic – final leaderboard

-17 M Penge (Eng), -14 S Crocker (US), K Reitan (Nor), –13 R Neergaard-Petersen (Den), -12 M Couvra (Fra), -11 E Molinari (Ita), S Bairstow (Eng), X Bowen (Chn)

Other notables: -7 C Purcell (Ire), -6 B Schmidt (Eng), -6 B Baldwin (Eng), -5 J Senior (Sco), and -6 B Forrest (Sco).

Just two months after returning from a betting ban, England’s Marco Penge won his first DP World Tour title.

The 26-year-old placed bets on multiple events throughout December, and one month was suspended for the rest of the year.

Since returning to the field on March 23, Penge had finished third overall at the South African Open and shot a three-shot victory on Sunday at the Hainan Classic in China.

Penge, who joined the European tour last year, led the way with Xiao Bowen from China and was one shot ahead of Sean Crocker as he led the back nine.

But he made three birdies from the 12th to finish the round on 17 under par before posting a five-under 67.

With Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen a shot further back, American Crocker and Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan tied for second place overall.

To me, “This means the world,” Penge remarked. “I’ve always wanted to succeed in winning on the biggest stage,” I said.

After taking a vacation, I wanted to really prove to myself and to everyone else that I am a player.

“My caddie has been my rock since that time.” And my entire team, including my wife, would not have helped me get where I am.

With his victory, Penge moved up to third place in the Asian Swing standings after winning the DP World Tour and advancing to the US PGA Championship in Quail Hollow.