Europe’s next PGA Tour star? It could be a “modern golfer” hitting a mile

The gang is now in Palm Beach. Marco. Sophia. Enzo, their son who turns 2 this year. Otis, their golden retriever. And because everyone is there, everything came over from England, which means nothing seemed to have come out of a box or been unpacked for a while. There’s more on the way too. Another child is coming in four weeks. The Penges become a fivesome.

It all feels a bit overwhelming, says Marco. And of course you believe him, but not just because you probably agree with him.

It’s because if anyone really understands the idea, it’s the guy who has overwhelmed so many this past year.

From the conqueror to the conquered. That happens, especially if it happens in the short term. A year ago, Penge was home at this time. Suspended actually. But then he won in China at the end of April. He then won in Denmark in mid-August. He then won in Spain in October. That earned him a Masters teetime. Then came a PGA Tour card, the result of Penge’s position in the DP World Tour’s season-long points race, and he will start on the circuit on Thursday, at the Farmers Insurance Open.

There will be curiosity. About his ascent. About his urges. The internet says last year on the DP World Tour, Penge ranked first in strokes gained off the tee, sending tee balls an average of 319 yards. But you really have to do it watch the 27 year old with the big dog in his hand. Or listen. (That’s possible hereif you will.) Last November, at the DP World Tour’s season-ending event, your newest Grand Slam winner had at least heard the stories.

“He played great,” Rory McIlroy said. “He’s kind of a modern golfer, hits long and doesn’t really seem to have many weaknesses.

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to seeing his play over the next few days, and you know, with the way this course is set up and how firm the fairways are, I think you’ll see some long drives there.”

Was McIlroy taller than him?

“I don’t know,” he said. “He should be taller. He’s nine years younger than me.”

However, to overwhelm like Penge implies surprise, and few could have foreseen this, at least not last year. There had been a promise. He had had success as an amateur. He was the winner of the year-long points race in 2023 on the then Challenge Tour, which earned him a spot on the DP World Tour. There, in 2024Thanks to a birdie on the final hole of the last event of his year, Penge finished 110th in the points standings, and 110 was given playing status for 2025. He was able to build on that. That was a base. But then a bomb came. There was more going on. In an interview last October with Ben Parsons of bunkered.com (which can be read in full here), Penge said he learned in April 2024 that he was under investigation for gambling on golf events – “I was in the shower and my wife came in and told me about it” – and seven days before Christmas Day 2024, the DP World Tour announced he had been suspended until February 2025.

Penge cooperated. But he said he thought the bets were made innocently. In Parsons’ story, he said he placed bets on majors and the Ryder Cup in 2022 and ’23, and never for more than $24 — and never on himself. “Ever since I was a young boy, I’ve been making bets on the majors and stuff,” he told Parsons. “I’m not a gambler, but when I watch sports it adds a little excitement. I just didn’t realize I wasn’t allowed to do anything. I knew I couldn’t bet on myself, I just didn’t know I couldn’t bet on majors. It was a huge shock.”

That might have been the case

On his first start back he finished in 20th place.

Six starts later he won in China.

Last May, he finished 28th at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, NC. In July last year he finished second at the Scottish Open, behind McIlroy.

Before the end of the year he won two more times and finished second in the points race.

The time away had been useful. He was working on things. In Parsons’ story, Penge said he was diagnosed with ADHD during that time, and during a press conference last November he said it helped him process situations better. “I have a lot of things in place when I feel a certain way or when things get too overstimulated for my brain. Yes, I feel much better because I understand myself.”

All this gave him food for thought on Tuesday.

“Even now,” Penge said, “I enjoy being here, knowing that I’m going to play on the PGA Tour for a year and have checked all the boxes in terms of what you could do as a professional golfer, but I still pinch myself a little bit in a way.

“Obviously at the beginning of last season it wasn’t the start I wanted, and after I won in China it kind of became a reality that I could get my PGA Tour card. And then winning three times and getting some other really good results, yeah, it gave me a lot of confidence.”

But about that overwhelming feeling.

In the weeks since earning his PGA Tour card and subsequent decision to move to Florida, Penge said he has reached out to other European professionals. McIlroy has helped, as have Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry. “It was really nice to get the support from guys that I idolize in some way,” Penge said. “Obviously they’ll be a lot more of my opponents this year, which will be fun.” Penge was also a sponge in the practice rounds this week.

“I mean, it’s a little bit different than what you get in Europe,” he said.

“…The fairways have been cut quite tight and the roughness has increased. So I’ve already lost quite a few golf balls within five yards of the fairway this week, so hopefully the ball spotters will give me a helping hand.”

Then comes unpacking. And the latest Penge. But it seems like things are being sorted out there too. Somehow.

Penge is playing this week. Then the next three. That’s four consecutive weeks.

That is also the exact length of time until Sophia gives birth.

Will that work, Marco?

“I’ll play these four weeks and then straight home for the birth of our second child,” he said.

“Yes, it’s been a bit hectic. Moving here meant she had to give birth here. Right now she’s in Florida without her family and friends and I’m in Torrey Pines and the next three weeks are mine.

“Yes, she’s been great. Obviously we’re both really looking forward to having a second child.”

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