DP World Tour Suspends English Golfer Over Betting Allegations

English golfer Marco Penge has been handed a two-month suspension from the DP (Dubai Ports) World Tour after a disciplinary panel discovered he placed bets on several tournaments.

He Did Not Wager on Himself

The 26-year-old born in Horsham, the United Kingdom, however, did not wager on his own performance or during days when he was still part of the competition. 

Hence, the panel’s conclusion was that the pro golfer did not threaten the integrity of the events.

As part of his punishment, Penge was also slapped with a fine of £2,000 ($2,539) and will have to serve a three-month ban, with one month suspended for a year while pending additional breaches of the integrity program of the tour, until February 2025. 

The penalty was mitigated by Penge’s prompt acknowledgment of his actions and full cooperation with the investigation.

Penge to Miss Four Regular Tourneys & One Rolex Series Event

Currently ranked 414th in the Official World Golf Rankings, Penge narrowly avoided losing his tour card by finishing 110th in the Race to Dubai standings. 

A crucial birdie on his final hole of the season helped him remain within the top 114 players, securing his playing privileges for the upcoming year.

Penge’s suspension will overlap with four regular tournaments and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic Rolex Series event at the Emirates GC in Dubai between January 16-19.

The event will feature a $9,000,000 prize fund and it is part of the series considered “one of the most important initiatives in the DP World Tour’s history,” elevating “the premier world-class golf tournaments into unmissable sporting occasions.”

Penge’s late return could potentially put him at a disadvantage as he works to retain his tour card after finishing the year with 19 missed cuts in 28 events.

The English golfer was also recently highlighted on the DP World Tour’s social media after sinking a 5-foot par putt on his final hole at the Genesis Championship in South Korea, ensuring he made the cut and kept his hopes alive for securing playing privileges for 2025. 

He described the putt as the most nerve-wracking moment of his career – “I was s***ing myself, to be fair,” he commented.

The suspension officially began on December 13, 2024. Penge is eligible to return to competition on February 13, 2025. 

Penge’s last tournament appearance was in November at the Australian Open, where he finished tied for 27th place.

In February 2023, the National Council on Problem Gambling announced that the PGA Tour joined its Leadership Circle in support of its efforts to mitigate gambling harm.