Marco Penge Anticipates Showdown with Rory McIlroy in Abu Dhabi
Marco Penge is eager to challenge Rory McIlroy for the lead in the Race to Dubai during the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links. The 27-year-old English golfer has rapidly climbed the ranks since retaining his tour card last season.
Despite a three-month suspension by the DP World Tour in December for betting on golf events (not on himself or events he played), Penge has made a strong comeback in 2025. He has claimed victories at the Hainan Classic, the Danish Golf Championship, and the Open de España, which earned him one of ten PGA Tour cards.
Penge currently sits second in the rankings behind Masters champion McIlroy, who aims to secure his seventh Harry Vardon Trophy as Europe's top player at the upcoming DP World Tour Championship.
Goals and Inspirations
"Obviously my goal once I didn't qualify for the Ryder Cup— I think I played Irish Open, and I thought, now my goal is to catch Rory," Penge said. "That goal is kind of over in a way, but now that I've won in Spain and got me back in the mix, I'm trying to win this week or next week or just play as good as I can and see where that ends up."
McIlroy, 36, is one of Penge’s golfing idols. Having never competed alongside him before, world number 29 Penge is excited to measure his own game against the Holywood star.
Summary
Marco Penge is determined to test himself against Rory McIlroy at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after a breakthrough season marked by impressive wins and a return from suspension.