English golfer Marco Penge says he’s “in disbelief” as he prepares to tee off the DP World Tour’s penultimate match with an opportunity of successful the Race to Dubai.
The 27-year-old, who has emerged as British golf’s hottest male prospect with three wins this season, will play with Race chief Rory McIlroy for the primary time when he competes on this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
Penge’s unique aim for the season was to merely make it to the season-ending play-off occasions right here within the Center East. The ultimate competitors, the DP World Tour Championship, is in Dubai subsequent week.
It’s honest to say the Clitheroe professional, who credit a comparatively latest prognosis for ADHD as a think about his success, has exceeded all expectations in 2025.
He began the yr being suspended by the DP World Tour for breaching rules by betting on multiple golf events.
Penge didn’t guess on himself or tournaments he was collaborating in and it led to an unbiased disciplinary panel to seek out the integrity of the occasions which he guess on “had not been compromised”.
He acquired a three-month ban – with one month suspended for a yr.
Penge has turn out to be McIlroy’s greatest risk to the Northern Irishman’s quest for a seventh order of benefit title, which this yr comes with a bonus price about £1.5m.
“To complete high 50 on the rankings was my predominant aim in the beginning of the yr after being suspended,” Penge informed BBC Sport.
“So I’ve in all probability reset my targets 4 or 5 instances this yr. I received within the Open after ending third in South Africa, then successful in China. To win was all the time a aim.
“Then successful a number of instances in a yr was one other and that occurred,” he added.
His victory on the Open de Espana in late summer assured a Masters debut subsequent April and he has additionally earned a spot on the PGA Tour subsequent season.
“I nonetheless am in disbelief that I’m within the place that I’m,” he mentioned. “Not from the purpose that I do not suppose I am ok, simply from the purpose of how briskly it is occurred.”
Now he’s getting ready to tee it up alongside Masters champion McIlroy and Ryder Cup star Tyrrell Hatton, who lies third within the Race to Dubai standings.
“It will be enjoyable,” Penge smiled. “Rory is one of the best participant of my technology and somebody who my recreation might be most just like.
“I am an incredible driver of the ball and hit it far and have some aptitude, so I am excited to check my recreation along with his and see the place I should be higher as a result of he’s type of the benchmark.”
Having saved his tour card within the final counting occasion final yr, Penge just isn’t daunted by the chance to make up fewer than 500 factors to overhaul McIlroy whereas making an attempt to carry off Hatton’s problem for the season-long crown.
“I take a look at it purely from a studying standpoint. I believe that’s one of the simplest ways for me to be relaxed,” Penge mentioned.
“I believe if I am going on the market making an attempt to be intense and ultra-competitive with them it is just going to construct stress. I wish to play down all the things, that is how I see life basically.
“I wish to take it in my stride, take pleasure in it and have some enjoyable.”
