In a remarkable turn of events on Hainan Island, China, England’s Marco Penge captured his first European tour title with a triumphant performance at the Hainan Classic. Penge completed the tournament with a 5-under 67 on the final day, securing a decisive three-shot victory. This momentous achievement comes shortly after Penge’s return from a suspension related to betting on golf, marking a significant milestone in his career.
The past six months have been eventful for the 26-year-old golfer, beginning with a narrow retention of his European card. His outstanding performance in the Asian Swing has not only bolstered his confidence but also earned him third place in the series, granting him a much-coveted spot in the upcoming PGA Championship.
Penge’s betting violation led to a three-month suspension, during which it was clarified that he had not bet on himself or on any participants in the tournaments he competed in. The stake resulted in a fine of 2,000 pounds for Penge.
During the final round, Penge fended off an initial challenge from Sean Crocker. Despite Crocker’s aggressive start, a series of bogeys impeded his progress, enabling Penge to establish a comfortable lead. Crocker ultimately concluded with a 66, placing him three shots behind along with Kristoffer Reitan, who shot a 67. Penge’s final total was an impressive 17-under 271.
Expressing his elation, Penge stated, “This obviously means the world to me. It’s something that I’ve always dreamt of achieving, winning on the biggest stage. After my time off, it was the thing that I wanted to really prove to myself and prove to everyone, to show what a player I am.”
The Asian Swing series victor, Keita Nakajima, alongside Spain’s Eugenio Chacarra and Penge, has secured entry to compete at Quail Hollow for the PGA Championship scheduled from May 15-18 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
This achievement also propels Penge to 11th place in the Race to Dubai rankings, further solidifying his burgeoning status on the European tour stage.