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
Marco Penge posted a statement Sunday evening and confirmed he was stepping away from professional golf to focus on his health. He signed off with three words: "I'll be back soon."
The 27-year-old Englishman had just missed the cut at the 108th PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. Rounds of 75 and 77 left him at 12 over for the tournament. The week came after he withdrew from the Myrtle Beach Classic, and the back-to-back struggles convinced him a break was the right call.
The health battle stretches back further than this week. Penge flagged the issue on the eve of the major, explaining a recurring problem involving his ear, neck and nervous system traced back to a viral infection last November.
"This week didn't go the way I wanted to, but that's golf," Penge wrote on Instagram. "Moving forward, I have decided that I am going to take some time off to get my health back to where it needs to be. Thank you for your support as always! I'll be back soon!"
He had undergone an MRI scan on his brain, head and neck just days before the tournament, after experiencing vertigo symptoms.
The scan results brought some relief. "Thankfully, the images were great, and so a few of the doubts I have had have gone away, which is a big relief," he said. "I'm battling to get fully fit again, and hopefully that's not too far away."
Even so, Aronimink was a difficult week. Many people thought the course would favour big hitters, and Penge seemed like a good fit. But the course challenged the long hitters. In the end, Aaron Rai won by three shots after a smart and controlled final round.
Marco Penge: From Race to Dubai Contender to Rookie Year Disrupted
The contrast with where Penge was 12 months ago is stark. His 2025 DP World Tour season was one of the best by a British player in years. He won three times at the Hainan Classic, Danish Golf Championship, and Open de España and pushed Rory McIlroy deep into the Race to Dubai.
"Last week, I decided enough was enough after getting another sinus infection and vertigo symptoms," Penge said ahead of the major. "I proceeded with an MRI scan on my brain, head, and neck and got the results back today."
It was during those end-of-season DP World Tour playoffs that the health problems first appeared. His rookie season on the PGA Tour has been up and down.
Earlier this season, he had to withdraw from the Sony Open. He also pulled out of the Myrtle Beach Classic last week. Because of that, it has been hard for him to find consistency.
Still, there have been some positive moments. Penge made the cut in his first Masters. He also finished tied for fourth at the Valspar Championship in March, which is still his best result this year.
Do you think Penge can come back and fulfil the potential he showed in 2025?
Trending slideshow: Facts About English Pro Marco Penge’s Career
Dolly Bhamrick
Facts About English Pro Marco Penge’s CareerMarco Penge’s rise from teen prodigy to one of Europe’s breakout stars has been anything but linear. After early injury setbacks and a suspension that tested his resolve, Penge stormed into 2025 with career-best form, winning his first DP World Tour title, surging up the season rankings, and even pushing for the Harry Vardon Trophy and Race to Dubai crown. With huge power off the tee and relentless grit, he’s become one of England’s most compelling golfers. Here are the key facts behind his journey. Golffile Thos Caffrey via ImagoAfter a decorated amateur career that included dominant match-play wins, Penge turned pro in 2017. He began on the PGA EuroPro Tour, sharpening his game and gaining confidence competing against established pros. As a 13-year-old, he had already won his club championship and the Sussex Under-15 title three times, showing early that he could compete with older players. Golffile Fran Caffrey via ImagoPenge’s breakthrough arrived at the 2019 Prem Group Irish Masters. The victory earned him a HotelPlanner Tour card and marked the beginning of his climb through Europe’s developmental circuits. That win came on the PGA EuroPro Tour with a score of −12, and it helped him finish third on the Order of Merit that year and move up to the next level. Golffile Fran Caffrey via ImagoA persistent knee injury from his youth resurfaced, forcing surgery in 2021. He spent nearly a full season sidelined, returning in March 2022 after a long rehabilitation that tested his patience and determination. On his return in 2022, he was runner-up at the Kaskáda Golf Challenge, showing the injury hadn’t diminished his competitive edge. Photo by Glenn Gervot/ Icon Sportswire via ImagoPenge made his major debut at The Open in 2022 and returned for the Royal Liverpool in 2023. Though he missed both cuts, the experiences were pivotal in exposing him to major-championship pressure. Despite missing the cut, the mere fact he qualified for The Open at such a young age (24) gave him invaluable exposure at the highest level—and he used the experience as a benchmark for improvement. Photo by Glenn Gervot/ Icon Sportswire via Imago2023 proved to be a career-defining season. Penge captured two major Challenge Tour titles, the Open de Portugal and the Challenge Tour Grand Final, sealing his promotion to the DP World Tour. By topping the Challenge Tour Rankings that year, he earned full status for the 2024 DP World Tour, proving his progression was real and systematically achieved. Golffile Fran Caffrey via ImagoPenge showed he belonged on the big stage with a third-place finish at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, just his third start of the 2024 season. The week showcased his ball-striking and closing ability. That T3 result early in his DP World Tour season validated his transition from developmental tours to full-tour contention. Golffile Thos Caffrey via ImagoDespite a streaky season, Penge delivered under pressure. A T22 at the Genesis Championship late in 2024 was enough to narrowly secure his DP World Tour card for 2025. In fact, he finished 110th in the 2024 Race to Dubai Rankings, exactly the cut-off for full status—meaning every stroke late in the season counted. Golffile Thos Caffrey via ImagoIn December 2024, Penge faced a major setback when he was suspended for breaching the DP World Tour’s betting rules. Although he had wagered only on events he didn’t compete in, the penalty sidelined him and added another hurdle to overcome. The official statement confirmed a three-month suspension beginning 13 December 2024 (with one month suspended) and a fine of £2,000, though none of the bets were on his own events. Golffile Thos Caffrey via ImagoPenge bounced back with remarkable resilience. He captured the 2025 Hainan Classic in China with a final-round 67, earning his first DP World Tour title and re-establishing himself as a rising English star. He moved from around 344th to 194th in the Official World Golf Ranking after that win, underlining how big an impact it had. IMAGO / Andre EngelmannHis 2025 consistency, highlighted by strong top-10s and heavy scoring weeks, pushed him deep into contention for the Race to Dubai. For a stretch of the season, Penge was inside the top tier of contenders chasing the Harry Vardon Trophy, marking the biggest leap of his career. His move onto the Mizuno Tour Staff signified a long-term commitment and the backing that comes with being recognized as a serious contender on tour.
You may also read: Tiger Woods and Arnold Palmer: Moments That Revealed the Depth of Their RelationshipGolffile Thos Caffrey via ImagoA loyal Mizuno staffer, Penge uses the brand throughout his bag except for the putter. He has earned a reputation as one of the Tour’s longest hitters, ranking fourth in driving distance in 2024 with a 321.26-yard average, a weapon that continues to shape his 2025 rise. His ball-striking ability has been a defining characteristic; early reports noted that, at age five, he hit his first driver straight down the middle, foreshadowing the power he would build.
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