Could Marco Penge’s “nightmare” year actually make him a better golfer? His six-week break changed everything
February 22, 2026, Pacific Palisades, California, USA: Marco Penge walks onto the 9th green during Round 4 of the 2026 Genesis Invitational Golf Tournament on Sunday February 22, 2026 at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. ARIANA RUIZ/PI Pacific Palisades USA - ZUMAp124 20260222_zaa_p124_224 Copyright: xArianaxRuizx
February 22, 2026, Pacific Palisades, California, USA: Marco Penge walks onto the 9th green during Round 4 of the 2026 Genesis Invitational Golf Tournament on Sunday February 22, 2026 at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. ARIANA RUIZ/PI Pacific Palisades USA - ZUMAp124 20260222_zaa_p124_224 Copyright: xArianaxRuizx
3-time DP World Tour winner Marco Penge had a nightmare debut season on the PGA Tour. Plagued by a viral attack, the 28-year-old seemed like a shadow of his 2025 self. However, the Englishman believes the plagued season improved him as a player.
2025 was Penge’s breakthrough season. With the help of three wins on the European Tour, the Englishman secured his PGA Tour card for the 2026 season. Things haven’t gone to plan ever since.
“The whole season has been a bit of a nightmare, really,” Penge said at the Husqvarna British Masters. “I should have never started the season."
March 22, 2026, Tampa, Florida, USA: Marco Penge watches his tee shot on the seventh hole during the final round of the Valspar Championship Sunday, March 22, 2026 in Tampa. Tampa USA - ZUMAs70_ 20260322_zan_s70_069 Copyright: xChrisxUrsox
March 22, 2026, Tampa, Florida, USA: Marco Penge watches his tee shot on the seventh hole during the final round of the Valspar Championship Sunday, March 22, 2026 in Tampa. Tampa USA - ZUMAs70_ 20260322_zan_s70_069 Copyright: xChrisxUrsox
Penge’s stacked start to the PGA Tour was not a well-thought-out decision considering his circumstances.
The Englishman had just relocated to the US, and his second child was born. On top of that, recurring vertigo symptoms surfaced, which compelled him to take a break.
The six-week break allowed him to spend time with family, which sparked positive signs on his return.
“It was great to have six weeks off without touching a club and spending time with my family..." Penge said, as reported by Bunkered's Josh Lees. “Then I came back and played some good stuff and showed some positive signs.”
Despite no wins in his debut season, Penge revealed that he had progressed as a player over the year.
In fact, the Englishman believed he became a better player through the nightmare season.
Marco Penge feels like "a better player"
Marco Penge pointed out his game had improved after playing on American soil.
“I feel like I’m a better player than I was last year already,” said Penge, as per Bunkered's Josh Lees. “I’m playing so much in America, and I can tell when I come back to tournaments here and courses here that I can compare how I feel then to now."
The T4 finish at the Valspar Championship has been Penge's best finish this season. The tied-for-16th finish at The Genesis Invitational earlier this season also reflected his talent.
After the six-week break, Penge featured at Royal Birkdale in the Open Championship and secured a T18, the best major finish of his career yet.
Following that, the Englishman teed up at the Rocket Classic, where a 64 in the second round reflected the “positive signs” he was talking about.
Similarly, at the Wyndham Championship, Penge shot two rounds of 63, and the Sedgefield CC witnessed his potential.
American courses might've sharpened Penge's game as he returns on European soil.
Featuring at the British Masters this week, the Englishman is hoping to prove himself right.
Written by
Avishek Sarkar