The English DP World Tour player Marco Penge has been banned for three months after it was revealed that he had placed bets on golf tournaments on several occasions. In addition, the Tour imposed a fine of 2,000 pounds on the Englishman. The suspension, which began on December 13, 2024, does not allow Penge to participate in tournaments again until February 13, 2025. One month of the sentence was suspended to prevent him from committing further offenses. The 26-year-old Englishman violated Rule 3(a)(i) of the Tour’s Integrity Program.
No betting on own games according to DP World Tour
According to the DP World Tour, Penge did not place any bets on his own matches or tournament events in which he was involved. This ensured that the integrity of the competitions in question was not compromised. A DP World Tour spokesperson stated: “Penge did not place bets on himself or on the outcome of tournaments on the days he participated.”
The disciplinary committee, made up of legal and sporting experts, took into account Penge’s “immediate admission” and his cooperation, which mitigated the penalty imposed. “His candor and cooperation with the proceedings played a decisive role in the imposition of the penalty,” the spokesperson added.
Gambling in golf
Penge is not the first golfer to be sanctioned for gambling. In 2023, Vince India and Jake Staiano of the Korn Ferry Tour were hit with similar penalties. Staiano had only bet a total of 116 dollars, which was nevertheless penalized as a violation of the gambling guidelines. Marco Penge had earned a DP World Tour card in 2023 after topping the Challenge Tour Order of Merit. His first full season on the DP World Tour was bumpy. However, his good performance at the Genesis Championship in November 2024 secured him Tour status for 2025 after making the cut in Korea.