Rory McIlroy on Driving Distance in This Week's Pairing
Rory McIlroy, a five-time major champion, enters the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as a clear favorite. However, he faces a different challenge: he may not be the longest hitter in his group at the DP World Tour event on Thursday.
Pairing with British Bomber Marco Penge
McIlroy is paired with Marco Penge, a British golfer who has won three DP World Tour titles in 2025. Both players are expected to have a competitive driving contest, especially given the attention on their driving distances leading up to the tournament.
Driving Distance Statistics
- Rory McIlroy averages 320.3 yards per drive this season.
- Marco Penge averages 319.19 yards per drive.
- Nicolai Hojgaard leads with a 321.5-yard average.
Effectiveness Off the Tee
While their driving distances are close, their effectiveness differs. Penge ranks second in strokes gained off the tee (+1.06), trailing only Jon Rahm by a tiny margin. Rahm has competed in fewer tournaments, however.
Players’ Comments on Driving Distance
"I don't know," Penge said when asked who will hit it longer. "Obviously I want to be past him and I'm sure he wants to be hitting it past me."### Author’s Summary Rory McIlroy and Marco Penge enter a friendly driving rivalry at Abu Dhabi, showcasing close distances and fierce competitiveness in the Race to Dubai standings.