England’s Marco Penge claimed his maiden DP World Tour title on the Hainan Basic simply two months after coming back from a ban for betting.
Penge was handed a three-month ban with one month suspended in December final yr after he “placed bets on multiple golf events” in a breach of the tour’s integrity programme. He didn’t guess on himself.
He has since put that behind him, ending third on the Investec South African Open Championship in March earlier than recording a three-shot victory in China to enter the winner’s circle for the primary time at this degree.
Penge began the day in a share of the lead however discovered himself one shot behind a charging Sean Crocker as he started the again 9 on Sunday.
The 26-year-old then produced a well timed hat-trick of birdies on the twelfth, thirteenth and 14th to race away from the chasing pack and seal the win.
American Crocker completed in a tie for second alongside Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan on 14 underneath par, with Dane Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen one other shot additional again.
Penge stated: “This clearly means the world to me.
“It’s something that I’ve always dreamt of achieving – winning on the biggest stage.
“After my break day it was the factor that I needed to essentially show to myself and show to everybody, to indicate what a participant I’m.
“My caddie, through that time, has been my rock. And my wife and my whole team – I wouldn’t be where I am without them. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
Penge additionally booked his ticket to the US PGA Championship at Quail Hole after coming third on the tour’s Asian Swing standings.
Keita Nakajima topped the rankings after ending in a tie for eleventh at Mission Hills Resort Haikou, whereas Eugenio Chacarra was second and Penge third, with all three gamers now heading to the second main of the yr subsequent month.
