Race to Dubai: Marco Penge to Rival Rory McIlroy for Title
English golfer Marco Penge is preparing to tee off at the DP World Tour’s penultimate tournament with a surprising chance to win the Race to Dubai. At 27, Penge has emerged as British golf’s most promising male player this season, boasting three victories so far.
This week, Penge will compete at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, playing alongside Race leader Rory McIlroy for the first time. His initial goal for the season was simply to qualify for the season-ending playoff events in the Middle East. The final event, the DP World Tour Championship, takes place next week in Dubai.
Penge’s Rise and Challenges in 2025
The Clitheroe-born golfer has exceeded expectations, especially after a recent diagnosis of ADHD, which he credits for part of his success. However, the season began with a suspension by the DP World Tour due to breaches of betting rules involving multiple golf events.
Penge did not bet on himself or on any tournaments in which he participated. An independent disciplinary panel concluded the integrity of those events “had not been compromised.” He received a three-month ban, with one month suspended for a year.
Contending for the Title
Now, Penge poses the biggest challenge to Northern Irish player Rory McIlroy’s pursuit of a seventh Order of Merit title, which includes a bonus of approximately £1.5 million this year.
“To finish top 50 on the rankings was my main goal at the start of the year after being suspended,” Penge told BBC Sport.
Marco Penge’s journey from suspension to top contender highlights his resilience and rising profile in professional golf.