Rory McIlroy can take a step closer to history at the penultimate DP World Tour event of the year – but there is an unlikely golfer standing in his way.
England’s Marco Penge will try and hunt McIlroy down as the Race to Dubai play-offs begin at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Thursday.
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McIlroy is the overwhelming favourite to claim yet another Race to Dubai crownCredit: Getty
That is despite Penge being one shot away from losing his tour card last season.
The big-hitting 27-year-old sunk a five-footer for birdie to retain his card at the final counting event last year.
He would have to wait until February to cash in after being suspended for two months over a breach of betting rules.
But cash in, he did – and now he is fighting for a £1.5million prize.
Penge enters the final two events of the DP World Tour season just behind McIlroy in second place on the Race to Dubai rankings.
While the reigning Masters champion is looking to add a seventh title to his name and move just one behind Colin Montgomerie’s all-time record, Penge is still shocked to be in the conversation.
“To finish top 50 on the rankings was my main goal at the start of the year after being suspended,” Penge told BBC Sport.
“So I’ve probably reset my goals four or five times this year. I got in The Open after finishing third in South Africa, then winning in China. To win was always a goal.
“Then winning multiple times in a year was another and that happened.
“I still am in disbelief that I am in the position that I am. Not from the point that I don’t think I’m good enough, just from the point of how fast it’s happened.”
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Penge has found himself thrust into the spotlight after an incredible 2025Credit: GettyPenge’s meteoric rise
Penge has won three times on the DP World Tour this season, at the Hainan Classic (April 2025), the Danish Golf Championship (August 2025) and the Open de Espana (October 2025).
There were quiet conversations whether Penge should be included on Team Europe’s Ryder Cup squad for the victory in New York in September.
His most recent victory in Spain earned him a place at the 2026 Masters and next season’s PGA Tour.
But for now, Penge will be rewarded with a tee time alongside his idol McIlroy on Thursday.
“For me, he (McIlroy) is the best player in my generation of watching golf,” said Penge.
“He’s been so successful, and I think a lot of guys in my age group really look up to him not just as a golfer but as a person.
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McIlroy won the Race to Dubai title in the 2024 season, which was his sixth overallCredit: Getty
“Yeah, I compare a lot of parts of my game to him. I am excited to see what I think my strengths are compared to him on Thursday and see where I can improve.
“I know on Thursday morning when I step on the tee I’m going to have some adrenaline because I’m playing with one of the best players in the world for the first time. I don’t think I’m going to be too nervous.”
Penge can match McIlroy when it comes to distance off the tee: both men are in the top five this season with averages over 319 yards.
And the Englishman hinted there will be a little side competition between the two men when they tee it up this week.
“Obviously I want to be past him and I’m sure he wants to be hitting it past me,” Penge said.
“It will be a bit of a flex on that sort of thing. Bringing their best on the day will probably be the longest. We’ll see.”