Marco Penge rebounds from suspension to challenge Rory McIlroy for the DP World Tour crown in a thrilling season finale.
Marco Penge’s 2025 season didn’t begin on the course but in front of a disciplinary panel. The Englishman received a three-month suspension for betting on golf tournaments he didn’t participate in. While the commission found no impact on gameplay, the violation stood. One month was suspended, and once back on tour, Penge played like a man on a mission. He quickly racked up wins in China and Spain, along with a third-place finish in South Africa. His late-season tally: three titles, an invitation to the 2026 Masters, and a full PGA Tour card. “I had to keep resetting my goals,” Penge told BBC World. “Initially, I just wanted to crack the top 50.”
Race to Dubai: A relentless climb
While top names collected points at majors and co-sanctioned events, Penge took the traditional route—playing nearly every week, over 30 events this season. His consistent performances steadily moved him up the rankings. “Winning multiple times in a year was a goal—and I achieved it,” he said. Now, with 3,873.04 points, he sits second in the Race to Dubai, just behind Rory McIlroy. McIlroy, despite earning more prize money, played fewer events—21 in total, many outside Europe and not on the DP World Tour.
DP World Tour Championship: Clash of styles
The season culminates in Dubai, where Penge and McIlroy face off at the DP World Tour Championship. The stakes are clear: Penge must win—and McIlroy must finish lower—for the Englishman to claim the crown. “Rory is the best player of my generation and probably the one whose game most resembles mine,” said Penge. Both are long hitters with creative flair. But Penge remains unfazed. “I see this purely as a learning experience—that’s how I stay relaxed. Rory is the benchmark.”
System under scrutiny
Penge’s rise highlights the structure of the Race to Dubai. McIlroy isn’t the first to top the rankings with limited starts—Collin Morikawa did the same in 2021. The points system heavily favors US majors and co-sanctioned events, creating a perceived imbalance. For players like Penge, it’s added motivation to prove that consistency and commitment can still lead to the top.
Every Winner of the DP World Tour