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Marco Penge Celebrates First DP World Tour Victory at Hainan Classic
Marco Penge of England has secured his inaugural title on the DP World Tour at the Hainan Classic, just two months after returning from a suspension related to betting activities.
In December, Penge received a three-month ban, with one month suspended, after it was revealed that he had placed bets on various golf events, violating the tour’s integrity protocols. Notably, he did not bet on his own performance.
Putting this incident behind him, Penge experienced a resurgence shortly thereafter, finishing third at the Investec South African Open Championship in March. His winning moment came in China, where he clinched victory by three shots.
Decisive Performance on the Final Day
Penge began the final round tied for the lead but soon found himself a shot behind Sean Crocker, who surged ahead as they began the back nine. The 26-year-old then turned the tide with a critical streak of three consecutive birdies on holes 12, 13, and 14, allowing him to pull away from the competition and secure his win.
Sean Crocker, representing the United States, finished tied for second place along with Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan, both finishing at 14 under par. Denmark’s Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen trailed just one shot further behind.
Penge’s Reflections on Triumph
Expressing his emotions following the win, Penge stated, “This obviously means the world to me. It’s a dream I have always aspired to achieve—winning on the biggest stage.” He emphasized the importance of this victory in proving himself after his suspension, both to himself and to others.
He attributed much of his success to his support system, noting, “My caddie has been my rock during this time. And my wife and my whole team—without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
Looking Ahead
Penge’s victory also secured him a spot in the upcoming US PGA Championship at Quail Hollow. He finished third in the tour’s Asian Swing standings, with Keita Nakajima leading the rankings after a tie for 11th at Mission Hills Resort Haikou, and Eugenio Chacarra taking second place. All three players are now slated to compete in the second major tournament of the year next month.
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