Rory McIlroy Comments on Long Drives in Abu Dhabi
Five-time major champion Rory McIlroy enters the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as the clear favorite. However, for once, he might not be the longest hitter in his group at this DP World Tour event.
McIlroy will be paired with British powerhouse Marco Penge, who has earned three DP World Tour victories in 2025. The matchup is expected to turn into a friendly driving contest, given both players' reputations for massive tee shots.
Comparing Driving Statistics
Although McIlroy averages 320.3 yards off the tee, slightly ahead of Penge’s 319.19 yards, Nicolai Hojgaard tops the category with a 321.5-yard average. Yet, what distinguishes McIlroy and Penge is their overall efficiency.
- Marco Penge ranks second in strokes gained off the tee (+1.06), trailing Jon Rahm by just one-hundredth of a point.
- Rahm has competed in fewer tournaments this season, making Penge’s performance more consistent across events.
Players’ Perspective
As they prepare to play together for the first time—both leading the Race to Dubai standings—the focus has turned to who can carry the ball farther.
“I don’t know,” said Penge when asked about driving distance. “Obviously I want to be past him, and I'm sure he wants to be hitting it past me.”
Both golfers appear to view the rivalry as good-natured motivation rather than confrontation, ensuring fans an entertaining display of distance and skill.
Author’s Summary
Rory McIlroy enters Abu Dhabi as the favorite but faces a strong long-drive challenge from Marco Penge, setting up a friendly but fierce competition off the tee.