: European PGA Tour Star: Modern Golfer with Incredible Distance
- And because everyone's there, everything from England came with them, which means nothing seemingly was outside of a box or unwrapped for a while.
- And of course you believe him, though not just because you can likely relate.
- It's because if anyone truly understands the thought,it's the dude who's overwhelmed so many over the past year.
The gang is in Palm Beach now. Marco. Sophia. Enzo, their boy who turns 2 this year. Otis, their golden retriever. And because everyone’s there, everything from England came with them, which means nothing seemingly was outside of a box or unwrapped for a while. More is on the way,too. In four weeks, another child will arrive. The Penges will become a fivesome.
All of it feels a bit overwhelming, Marco says. And of course you believe him, though not just because you can likely relate.
It’s because if anyone truly understands the thought,it’s the dude who’s overwhelmed so many over the past year.
From the conqueror to the conquered. That happens, especially when that comes in short order. At this time a year ago,Penge was at home. Suspended, actually. But then he won at the end of April in China. Then he won in the middle of August in Denmark. Then he won in October in Spain. That one earned him a Masters tee time. Then came a PGA Tour card,the result of Penge’s standing in the DP World Tour’s season-long points race,and he’ll start on the circuit on Thursday,at the Farmers Insurance Open.
there’ll be curiosity. Over his ascent. over his drives. The internet says last year on the DP World Tour, Penge ranked first in strokes gained from the tee and that he sent tee balls 319 yards on average. But you really must watch the 27-year-old with the big dog in his hand. Or listen. (You can do so here, if you like.) Last November, at the DP World Tour’s season-ending event, yoru newest Grand Slam winner had at least heard the stories.
“He’s played great,” Rory McIlroy said.”He’s sort of that modern golfer,hits it long,and seems to not really have a ton of weaknesses.
“Yeah, looking forward to seeing his game over the next couple days, and you know, with how this course sets up and how firm the fairways are, I think you’re going to see a few long drives out there.”
Was McIlroy longer than him?
“I don’t know,” he said.
Six starts after that, he won in China.
In May of last year, he tied for 28th at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, N.C. In July of last year, he tied for second at the Scottish Open, behind McIlroy.
Before year’s end, he won two more times and finished second in the points race.
The time away had been beneficial. He worked on things. In Parsons’ story, Penge said he was diagnosed with ADHD over that period, and in a press conference last November, he said that’s helped him better process situations. “I’ve got a lot of things in place if I feel a certain way or things are getting too overstimulated for my brain. Yeah, I feel much better that I understand myself.”
All of it made him reflective on Tuesday.
“I still even now,” Penge said,”I like being here knowing that I’m going to be playing on the PGA Tour for a year and kind of ticked all the boxes in terms of what you could do as a professional golfer is kind of still pinch myself a little bit in a way.
“At the start of last season obviously wasn’t the start how I wanted, and after winning in China, it kind of became that I could achieve getting my PGA Tour card. And then going on to win three times and have some othre really good finishes, yeah, it gave me a lot of belief.”
But about that overwhelming feeling.
In the weeks as earning his PGA Tour card and the subsequent decision to move to Florida, Penge said he’s reached out to other European pros. McIlroy’s helped, as have Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry. “It’s been really nice to have the support from guys that I idolize in a way,” Penge said. “Obviously this year they’re going to be my opponents a lot more, which will be fun.” Penge’s also been a sponge in practice rounds this week.
” I mean, it’s a little different to what you’re getting in Europe,” he said.
“… The fairways are cut pretty tight and the rough’s up. So I’ve lost quite a few golf