Having topped the Problem Tour rankings in 2023, and earned promotion to the DP World Tour, 26-year-old tour skilled MARCO PENGE has firmly established himself on the world stage, chalking up three top-20s in his maiden season, with the promise of way more to come back. Right here Marco shares his {golfing} journey to this point, how he’s dealing with the transition to Europe’s prime tier tour and what he has realized about his recreation
What’s the principle distinction you’ve seen between the Problem Tour and the DP World Tour?
The usual on each excursions is unimaginable, and actually very comparable, with nice abilities on each excursions, however there’s definitely a larger power in depth on the DP World Tour. I’ve additionally observed that there are much more gamers within the health club – so health ranges are simply that bit larger.
With you presently averaging 330 yards off the tee, in opposition to a tour common of 305 yards, I wouldn’t be making a wild guess to counsel that driving is likely one of the principal strengths of your recreation?
Completely – my size off the tee is a large benefit, and to be honest I’m fairly correct with it too. I’m undecided that’s all the time mirrored within the driving accuracy stats although, as I’m usually hitting into slim pinch factors and over corners which are out of vary for a lot of different gamers. I’ve been working onerous within the health club for a very long time now which helps with my power and swing velocity.
If size is your superpower, what are the relative weaknesses in your recreation?
I’d say my strategy play is inferior to it must be. It’s actually right down to some technical work I have to do. If I lack any readability when it comes to what I’m doing, or what I ought to really feel, it finally undermines my perception and turns into a grind. There’s no fast repair to it, however I’m working onerous with my coach on bettering this a part of my recreation.
What efficiency stats do you pay most consideration to?
‘Proximity to gap’ is an enormous one for me – what number of instances I hit it inside 15 toes with my strategy photographs and the way harmful my dangerous one is. My final spherical on the Volvo China Open – the place I shot a bogey-free 66 – was concerning the best six beneath I‘ve ever had as a result of I hit it inside 15 toes on nearly each gap.
You’ve stated that it might probably typically take three or 4 holes so that you can settle right into a spherical. How are studying to take care of this and maybe make higher begins to your rounds?
This being my first 12 months on the DP World Tour there have positively been extra issues to take care of, because it’s all new and a little bit of a studying curve. You may simply slip into the mindset of making an attempt to keep away from errors – making an attempt to make just a few pars to ease into the spherical – however it’s not an incredible mentality to have out right here. The usual is so excessive that you really want to fly out the blocks with the purpose of capturing as little as you’ll be able to from the off. I’m an instinctive participant too and so feeling good on the vary actually helps the beginning of the spherical as I do know I can belief my feels.
In your method to profitable the Problem Tour Grand Last final 12 months, you hit your second shot out of bounds on the primary gap within the ultimate spherical. What went by way of your thoughts at that time?
The opening gap at Alcanada is a par-five and I took the second shot on, which I nonetheless really feel was the correct alternative. I take care of these moments fairly nicely and attempt to maintain my feelings in examine. Wanting again, I in all probability simply stated to myself ‘that was crap!’ and moved on. I’ve had so many experiences prior to now the place I’ve stayed affected person, taking part in nice and never making putts, however hung in there solely to be rewarded on the finish of the spherical. I’ve actually realized from these moments, they usually have helped me maintain the religion and belief in my recreation.
For those who take a look at my entire season final 12 months it was an analogous story, I completed fourth within the Czech Open after which adopted that with seven missed cuts in a row and was nicely down the rankings. I might sense there was some nervousness inside my group concerning the how the 12 months would finish, however I knew all alongside it could be high quality and that I’d have higher weeks sooner or later. Thankfully, I completed the 12 months strongly, gained a few instances, and topped the rankings. It was unbelievable, however it’s my mentality to be optimistic. You’ve acquired to be affected person and keep answerable for your feelings. In the end, I imagine in my means and can all the time again myself to show issues round.
It have to be an actual asset to have the ability to maintain your cool when issues aren’t going your method.
I assume so. Even in these robust moments I remind myself that I’m actually dwelling my dream, and I’m actually grateful to be doing what I’m doing, in order that helps maintain me grounded and from going off the rails.
Do you assume you will have what it takes to win on the DP World Tour?
I’d prefer to assume so. Sure programs will play into my strengths with my size off the tee, and I can positively win round these form of tracks. For instance, I performed in India this 12 months on a extremely tight course and solely hit one driver a spherical, so I used to be taking part in from the identical locations as the remainder of the sector. A superb week for me on a course like that may be a prime 25, though I ended up 37th. However on the venue for this 12 months’s South African Open, Blair Atholl in Johannesburg, which was over 7,800 yards, it was course the place lengthy driving was a particular benefit and I completed twelfth. It’s only a case of taking part in nicely in these weeks.
I do know that there’ll all the time be three or 4 weeks a 12 months the place I will probably be competition – that’s simply the kind of participant I’m. My recreation, when it’s good, is superior, and I do know it’s going to present up sooner or later within the season. Couple this with getting my strategy play the place I need it to be extra constantly, and I do know that I put myself in competition to win.
What’s been your favorite course/occasion on Tour this season?
My favorite course up to now has been Leopard Creek in South Africa, whereas my favorite match was the Dubai Desert Traditional.
Who do like to hang around with on tour?
I play most of my observe rounds with Andy Sullivan, Matt Baldwin and Paul Waring. They’ve actually taken me beneath their wing and are an incredible help to me – particularly provided that it’s my first 12 months on the DP World Tour.
Who was your {golfing} idol if you have been rising up and who do you admire of the present era of tour gamers?
It was positively Tiger Woods after I was rising up, however of the present era I love Brooks Koepka for his sturdy mentality and unflappable manner.
Who have you ever performed with this 12 months that has actually impressed you?
A South African man referred to as Louis De Jager has actually stood out to me up to now. He’s been round for some time, however I used to be actually impressed with the best way he managed his recreation.
Lastly, what recommendation would you supply to membership golfers on the market?
Take pleasure in your golf, keep affected person and have enjoyable – easy as that! In the end, golf is only a small piece of your life. All of us want to recollect to get pleasure from our golf, no matter degree you play at. My spouse truly messaged me earlier than my final spherical in China and stated, ‘Go have enjoyable – bear in mind you’re dwelling your desires!’ It’s such an vital message. My time at on the DP World Tour may final a 12 months or 10 years, who is aware of, however I all the time bear in mind the journey I’ve needed to get right here and remind myself to get pleasure from each second.
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: twelfth (2024) SOUTH AFRICAN OPEN, seventeenth (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 Professional Fli-Hello (1, 2)
IRONS: Mizuno PRO 241 (4-PW)
WEDGES: Mizuno T24 (50°, 56°, 60°)
PUTTER: Odyssey Versa Jailbird
BALL: Titleist Professional V1x
