Marco Penge Gets Brutal Bounce off the Flagstick After Nearly Making Hole-in-One
After a remarkable rise in 2025, British golfer Marco Penge experienced a stroke of misfortune during the second round of the Abu Dhabi Championship. Having started the year ranked 461st in the Official World Golf Ranking after returning from a gambling suspension, Penge has since become a three-time DP World Tour winner and a top-30 player globally, securing a ticket to the Masters in April.
On Friday, during play at hole No. 13, he came inches away from a hole-in-one, only to have his shot ricochet harshly off the flagstick. The ball skipped off the green, leaving Penge in a tricky position near the hazard.
"Obviously a nice shot into the par 3, 13, hit the flag, made bogey," Penge told reporters. "Overall, really pleased with how I played. Just need the putts to drop."
Despite missing the par save, Penge finished the round with a score of 68, placing him tied for 17th heading into the weekend. He remains projected at No. 2 in the Race to Dubai standings, just behind his playing partner Rory McIlroy, who trails him by a single shot after 36 holes. Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai share the tournament lead.
Author’s Summary
Marco Penge narrowly missed a hole-in-one at Abu Dhabi, settling for a bogey but retaining strong form in his breakout 2025 season and top Race to Dubai ranking.