Rising Golf Star Ready for First McIlroy Battle
England’s Marco Penge expressed his excitement after being paired with Masters champion Rory McIlroy at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. The match marks Penge’s first professional event alongside the Northern Irish golf icon.
Following a suspension due to a betting violation, the English player has returned strongly. In April, he secured victory at the Hainan Classic, followed by triumphs in Denmark and Spain. These wins boosted his position in the Race to Dubai rankings and even sparked speculation that Captain Luke Donald might select him for the 2025 Ryder Cup.
This week, Penge is one of 70 golfers competing in the first leg of the play-offs at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. On Thursday, he will play the opening two rounds with McIlroy and Ryder Cup teammate Tyrrell Hatton.
“I'm playing with one of the best players in the world for the first time,”
said Penge on Tuesday at a pre-tournament press conference, adding that he won’t feel nervous but expects the adrenaline to be running high.
Summary
Marco Penge, after a stellar comeback season, is set for his long-awaited debut match with Rory McIlroy at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, full of confidence and anticipation.