Marco Penge excited about big-hitting battle with ‘best in generation’ Rory McIlroy in Abu Dhabi

Marco Penge Eager for Showdown with Rory McIlroy in Abu Dhabi

Marco Penge is excited about the opportunity to surpass Rory McIlroy atop the Race to Dubai rankings and to test their big-hitting skills at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship held at Yas Links.

Penge's Rapid Rise and Challenges

The 27-year-old English golfer has quickly progressed in the sport after retaining his tour card at last season's final event. In December, Penge faced a three-month suspension by the DP World Tour for betting on golf tournaments, though he did not wager on himself or events he played in. Since then, he has made a strong comeback in 2025.

2025 Successes and Current Standing

Penge’s Ambitions

"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 – A Role Model and Rival

The 36-year-old Masters champion, who aims to secure his seventh Harry Vardon Trophy as European number one at next week's DP World Tour Championship, is also one of Penge’s golfing heroes. Having never played alongside McIlroy, Penge is eager to measure his game against the world number 29.

Marco Penge’s swift rise and resilience highlight his determination to challenge Rory McIlroy at the pinnacle of European golf.

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The Irish Independent The Irish Independent — 2025-11-04

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