Marco Penge, an English golfer, says he is “in disbelief” as he races to the finish line of the DP World Tour’s penultimate competition in order to claim the Race to Dubai victory.
The 27-year-old, who has won three championships this year, will play for the first time with race leader Rory McIlroy when he takes part in this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. He has emerged as one of British golf’s hottest male prospects.
Penge’s original objective for the season was to merely survive the Middle East’s season-ending play-offs. Next week’s Dubai DP World Tour Championship competition will be held.
The Clitheroe pro, who attributes his success to a relatively recent diagnosis for ADHD, has far exceeded his expectations in 2025.
He started the year being suspended by the DP World Tour for breaching rules by betting on multiple golf events.
Penge’s decision to not place a bet on himself or the tournaments he was playing led to a panel of independent judges who determined that the integrity of the events he had placed bets on had not been compromised.
He was given a three-month ban, with a one-year suspension for that month.
The Northern Irishman’s quest for the seventh order of merit title has come under the auspices of Penge, who is now McIlroy’s greatest threat.
After being suspended, Penge told BBC Sport, “My main goal was to finish in the top 50.”
“So I’ve probably reset my goals four or five times this year. After placing third in South Africa and winning in China, I entered the Open. Win always had its purpose.
He continued, “Then winning once in a year was another thing that happened.”
A Masters debut in April would be guaranteed with his late-summer success at the Open de Espana, and he will also be able to join the PGA Tour in April.
He said, “I still don’t believe I am where I am. Not from the standpoint of how quickly it happened, but rather from the standpoint of how quickly it happened.
In the Race to Dubai standings, third-placed Masters champion McIlroy and Ryder Cup star Tyrrell Hatton are now gearing up for him.
“Penge smiled and said, “It’s going to be fun.” My generation’s best player is Rory, and he probably shares my game with him the most.
I’m excited to compare my game to his and see where I need to improve because he kind of serves as the benchmark because I’m a great ball-handler, hit it hard, and have some flair.
In the last counting event last year, Penge was able to avoid losing his tour card as he battled McIlroy for the season-long crown while making up fewer than 500 points.
“It’s purely from a learning perspective,” I said. That is “the best way for me to relax,” Penge said.
“I believe it will only build up the pressure if I try to be intense and competitive with them.” I like to minimize everything because that is how I view life in general.
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Source: BBC
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