From suspension to chasing Rory McIlroy, Marco Penge 'in disbelief' of career arc

From suspension to chasing Rory McIlroy: Marco Penge’s remarkable career turnaround

About a year ago, Marco Penge from England was ranked outside the top 400 in the world and had just earned his European Tour card by sinking a tense putt on his final hole. The past twelve months must seem like a whirlwind.

In 2022, the European Tour suspended Penge for two months after he was found to have placed minor bets on tournaments he did not participate in, before he had completed the tour’s integrity program. He accepted responsibility and pledged never to repeat the mistake.

Since then, Penge’s career soared. He claimed his first European Tour title in China, finished runner-up in the Scottish Open, won again in Denmark, and secured his third title at the Spanish Open.

This string of successes has brought him close to Rory McIlroy in the Race to Dubai standings as the season approaches its final two events. Currently, Penge trails McIlroy by 441 points heading into the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

“I still am in disbelief in a way that I am in the position that I am,” Penge said Tuesday in Abu Dhabi. “Not from the point that I don’t think I’m good enough, just from the point of how fast it’s happened.”

Along with this impressive rise, Penge has secured a PGA Tour card, awarded to the top ten players on the European Tour, known commercially as the DP World Tour. Amid rumors of potential interest from LIV Golf, Penge and his wife have traveled to the United States to begin house hunting for the year ahead.

At 29th in the world rankings, this week carries crucial points that will influence Penge’s prospects for next year.

Author’s summary: Marco Penge’s rapid journey from suspension to multiple European Tour wins puts him in striking distance of Rory McIlroy, marking a dramatic and inspiring career rebound.

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Golf Channel Golf Channel — 2025-11-06

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