Marco Penge had the opportunity to play alongside Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton during the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Championship on March 14, 2024. The trio showcased their skills at Yas Links, providing fans with an exciting display of golf. While McIlroy, a seasoned professional and four-time major champion, seeks his first title at this event, Penge is still carving out his career in the sport.
Both players are known for their long drives, and they did not disappoint on Thursday. Spectators witnessed impressive power from both golfers as they exchanged remarkable tee shots throughout the day. Penge, 27, acknowledged the different stages of their careers, noting that he has long admired McIlroy’s accomplishments.
Penge’s Impressions of McIlroy
After their round, Penge shared his thoughts on what it was like to play alongside a player of McIlroy’s stature. He remarked, “Yeah, it was great. I mean, obviously what I think of my game compared to obviously playing with him today, I’ll probably keep to myself, but it was good.” He added that it was a unique experience to share the fairway with a “Grand Slam winner and a legend of European golf, world golf.”
During their round, McIlroy appeared comfortable engaging with Penge. This contrasted with the tension that arose earlier in the year during the Masters, where McIlroy’s interaction with Bryson DeChambeau was notably less relaxed. Penge noted the relaxed atmosphere while playing with McIlroy, indicating that there was a more amicable rapport between the two.
Penge’s Performance in Abu Dhabi
Marco Penge had a strong showing in his first round, finishing with a score of 67, which included six birdies and an eagle. Reflecting on his performance, he said, “Yeah, pretty solid. Obviously got off to a hot start, which was nice. Just made a couple of errors on 3 and 4.” Despite some minor setbacks, he expressed satisfaction with his overall play.
He continued, “I played great. Just a couple of 3-putts, left a couple chips. It was my first round back after three weeks off, and also playing with Rory and Tyrrell. So there’s a different environment for me, in a way. I loved it. It was great.”
Penge is known for his ability to quickly gain momentum on the course, and he will look to build on this solid start as the tournament progresses. With the excitement of playing alongside a golf legend and a strong performance under his belt, he remains optimistic about making further strides in the competition.
