Marco Penge Holds His Own In Big-Hitting Battle With Rory McIlroy In Abu Dhabi

Marco Penge Matches Rory McIlroy’s Power Display in Abu Dhabi

Rory McIlroy and Marco Penge showcased impressive long drives during their clash at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, including a 377-yard hit and a tee shot that reached the green on a par-four hole. Marco Penge, making his debut in the DP World Tour playoffs, challenged McIlroy strongly in this opening round pairing.

Penge, who is McIlroy’s closest competitor for the Race to Dubai title, attracted attention playing alongside the Grand Slam champion. Both are among the biggest hitters on the DP World Tour, and their duel in hitting powerful drives was a key focus before the round began.

Beyond their distance off the tee, Penge demonstrated composure in his first major spotlight alongside one of golf’s biggest names. He even outperformed McIlroy by one stroke, shooting a five-under 67 compared to McIlroy’s 68.

“It was great,” said Penge after the round.

Marco Penge’s performance confirms his rise in professional golf, standing strong against elite competition and marking himself as a serious contender.

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Golf Monthly Golf Monthly — 2025-11-06

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