Having topped the Challenge Tour rankings in 2023, and earned promotion to the DP World Tour, 26-year-old tour professional MARCO PENGE has firmly established himself on the world stage, chalking up three top-20s in his maiden season, with the promise of much more to come. Here Marco shares his golfing journey to date, how he is coping with the transition to Europe’s top tier tour and what he has learned about his game
What’s the main difference you’ve seen between the Challenge Tour and the DP World Tour?
The standard on both tours is incredible, and really very similar, with great talents on both tours, but there is certainly a greater strength in depth on the DP World Tour. I’ve also noticed that there are a lot more players in the gym – so fitness levels are just that bit higher.
With you currently averaging 330 yards off the tee, against a tour average of 305 yards, I wouldn’t be making a wild guess to suggest that driving is one of the main strengths of your game?
Absolutely – my length off the tee is a huge advantage, and to be fair I’m pretty accurate with it too. I’m not sure that is always reflected in the driving accuracy stats though, as I’m normally hitting into narrow pinch points and over corners that are out of range for many other players. I’ve been working hard in the gym for a long time now which helps with my strength and swing speed.
If length is your superpower, what are the relative weaknesses in your game?
I’d say my approach play is not as good as it needs to be. It’s really down to some technical work I need to do. If I lack any clarity in terms of what I am doing, or what I should feel, it ultimately undermines my belief and becomes a grind. There’s no quick fix to it, but I am working hard with my coach on improving this part of my game.
What performance stats do you pay most attention to?
‘Proximity to hole’ is a big one for me – how many times I hit it inside 15 feet with my approach shots and how destructive my bad one is. My last round at the Volvo China Open – where I shot a bogey-free 66 – was about the easiest six under I‘ve ever had because I hit it inside 15 feet on almost every hole.
You’ve said that it can often take three or four holes for you to settle into a round. How are learning to deal with this and perhaps make better starts to your rounds?
This being my first year on the DP World Tour there have definitely been more things to deal with, as it’s all new and a bit of a learning curve. You can easily slip into the mindset of trying to avoid mistakes – trying to make a few pars to ease into the round – but it’s not a great mentality to have out here. The standard is so high that you really need to fly out the blocks with the aim of shooting as low as you can from the off. I’m an instinctive player too and so feeling good on the range really helps the start of the round as I know I can trust my feels.
On your way to winning the Challenge Tour Grand Final last year, you hit your second shot out of bounds on the first hole in the final round. What went through your mind at that point?
The opening hole at Alcanada is a par-five and I took the second shot on, which I still feel was the right choice. I deal with these moments pretty well and try to keep my emotions in check. Looking back, I probably just said to myself ‘that was crap!’ and moved on. I’ve had so many experiences in the past where I’ve stayed patient, playing great and not making putts, but hung in there only to be rewarded at the end of the round. I’ve really learned from these moments, and they have helped me keep the faith and trust in my game.
If you look at my whole season last year it was a similar story, I finished fourth in the Czech Open and then followed that with seven missed cuts in a row and was well down the rankings. I could sense there was some anxiety within my team about the how the year would end, but I knew all along it would be fine and that I would have better weeks at some point. Fortunately, I finished the year strongly, won a couple of times, and topped the rankings. It was unbelievable, but it’s my mentality to be positive. You’ve got to be patient and stay in control of your emotions. Ultimately, I believe in my ability and will always back myself to turn things around.
It must be a real asset to be able to keep your cool when things aren’t going your way.
I guess so. Even in those tough moments I remind myself that I am literally living my dream, and I am really grateful to be doing what I’m doing, so that helps keep me grounded and from going off the rails.
Do you think you have what it takes to win on the DP World Tour?
I’d like to think so. Certain courses will play into my strengths with my length off the tee, and I can definitely win around those kind of tracks. For example, I played in India this year on a really tight course and only hit one driver a round, so I was playing from the same places as the rest of the field. A good week for me on a course like that might be a top 25, although I ended up 37th. But at the venue for this year’s South African Open, Blair Atholl in Johannesburg, which was over 7,800 yards, it was course where long driving was a definite advantage and I finished 12th. It’s just a case of playing well in those weeks.
I know that there will always be three or four weeks a year where I will be contention – that’s just the type of player I am. My game, when it’s good, is awesome, and I know it will show up at some point in the season. Couple this with getting my approach play where I want it to be more consistently, and I know that I put myself in contention to win.
What’s been your favourite course/event on Tour this season?
My favourite course so far has been Leopard Creek in South Africa, while my favourite tournament was the Dubai Desert Classic.
Who do like to hang out with on tour?
I play most of my practice rounds with Andy Sullivan, Matt Baldwin and Paul Waring. They have really taken me under their wing and are a great support to me – especially given that it is my first year on the DP World Tour.
Who was your golfing idol when you were growing up and who do you admire of the current generation of tour players?
It was definitely Tiger Woods when I was growing up, but of the current generation I admire Brooks Koepka for his strong mentality and unflappable demeanour.
Who have you played with this year that has really impressed you?
A South African guy called Louis De Jager has really stood out to me so far. He’s been around for a while, but I was really impressed with the way he managed his game.
Finally, what advice would you offer to club golfers out there?
Enjoy your golf, stay patient and have fun – simple as that! Ultimately, golf is just a small piece of your life. We all need to remember to enjoy our golf, whatever level you play at. My wife actually messaged me before my last round in China and said, ‘Go have fun – remember you’re living your dreams!’ It’s such an important message. My time at on the DP World Tour might last a year or 10 years, who knows, but I always remember the journey I’ve had to get here and remind myself to enjoy every moment.
MARCO PENGE FACTFILE
AGE: 26
BORN: HORSHAM, WEST SUSSEX
LIVES: CLITHEROE, LANCASHIRE
ATTACHMENT: THE CAVERSHAM, BERKSHIRE
AMATEUR WINS: 2013 MACGREGOR TROPHY, 2013 FAIRHAVEN TROPHY, 2015 SCOTTISH AMATEUR STROKEPLAY, JAQUES LEGLISE TEAM TROPHY (2013-15)
TURNED PRO: 2017
PRO WINS: OPEN DE PORTUGAL 2023, CHALLENGE TOUR GRAND FINAL 2023
DP WORLD TOUR APPEARANCES: 24 CUTS MADE: 8
BEST FINISH: 12th (2024) SOUTH AFRICAN OPEN, 17th (VOLVO CHINA OPEN)
CAREER PRIZE MONEY: €313,891
2024 PERFORMANCE STATS
DRIVING DISTANCE: 326 yards (4th)
DRIVING ACCURACY: 50% (124th)
GREENS IN REGULATION: 67% (68th)
PUTTS PER GIR: 1.82 (128th)
PUTTS PER ROUND: 29.67 (114th)
SAND SAVES: 49% (107th)
STROKE AVERAGE: 71.32 (90yth)
WHAT’S IN MARCO’S BAG?
DRIVER: Mizuno ST-X 230 (8.5°)
FAIRWAY WOODS: Mizuno ST-X 230 3-wood (15°)
HYBRIDS: Mizuno Pro Fli-Hi (1, 2)
IRONS: Mizuno PRO 241 (4-PW)
WEDGES: Mizuno T24 (50°, 56°, 60°)
PUTTER: Odyssey Versa Jailbird
BALL: Titleist Pro V1x