Marco Penge Holds His Own In Big-Hitting Battle With Rory McIlroy In Abu Dhabi
Rory McIlroy and Marco Penge delivered an impressive display of power off the tee at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, highlighted by a 377-yard drive and a par-four green-in-one.
Making his debut in the DP World Tour playoffs, Marco Penge matched Rory McIlroy shot for shot in a high-profile pairing during the opening round. Penge, McIlroy’s closest competitor in the Race To Dubai, attracted significant attention playing alongside the Grand Slam champion.
The contest was billed as a clash between two of the longest hitters on the DP World Tour, and both players rose to the occasion. McIlroy notably drove the green on a par-four hole, while Penge unleashed a massive 377-yard drive on a par-five.
Beyond the power display, Penge showed great composure in his first exposure to such a spotlight with one of golf’s biggest stars. The Englishman outscored McIlroy by one stroke, finishing five under par with a 67 compared to McIlroy’s 68.
“It was great,” said Penge after the round.
Both players demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, making for a thrilling start to the championship.
Author's summary: Marco Penge impressed in his playoff debut by matching Rory McIlroy’s power and composure, narrowly beating the golf star with a strong 67 in Abu Dhabi.