Record-breaker Penge is pitch and putt perfect

Golf At Goodwood ambassador Marco Penge showcased his talents once again by breaking the course record at Royal Dublin in the Flogas Irish Amateur Open, earlier this month.
Marco Penge     Picture: Kevin DissMarco Penge     Picture: Kevin Diss
Marco Penge Picture: Kevin Diss

The 17-year-old overcame a pulled intercostal muscle – for which he had been receiving physiotherapy and acupuncture – to get round the course in 64 shots during the second day of play.

The Goodwood player ultimately finished the competition nine-under-par in joint-fourth position, but winner Colm Campbell was particularly struck by Penge’s performance.

He said: ‘Sixty four is a serious round of golf.

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‘It’s hard to break 70 here, so to go six better is impressive.’

Penge’s round shaved a shot from the year-long record that had been held by previous championship winner Gavin Moynihan.

With Walker Cup Great Britain and Ireland captain Craig Watson watching, Penge is now considered one of the leading contenders for that competition.

Whether or not the teenager is named in the team to face the U.S at Los Angeles Country Club next year remains to be seen.

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Penge’s attention for the time being, though, is to tackle the European Tour Qualifying School this autumn.

With that in mind, he is unsure about where the game may take him in 2017.

Reflecting on his Dublin heroics, Penge said: ‘I didn’t realise I had broken the course record until my mum said: “I think you have broken the course record!”

‘This was my first course record and to have achieved this at Royal Dublin is fantastic.’

The young golfer is currently competing in the French Men’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Chantilly Golf Club.

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