Marco Penge claimed his second career DP World Tour title after coming back to earn a one-shot victory over home favorite Rasmus Hojgaard at the Danish Golf Championship.
The 27-year-old Englishman, whose only previous triumph on the DP World Tour came at the Hainan Classic earlier this year, came into the final round at Foresø Golf Klub a shot behind Hojgaard but that gap widened to four as the Dane stormed the early stages as he looked to claim his second victory in the event in three years.
But Hojgaard faltered after dropping shots at the seventh and ninth to bring Penge back in the hunt. He rose to the top of the leaderboard early on the back nine after Hojgaard bogeyed the 10th and he went onto increase his advantage thanks to a sublime birdie at the 13th. Penge looked on track to earn a second win of the season and despite a slight wobble with a dropped shot at the 16th, he responded with a crucial birdie putt at the 17th to enter the last with a two-shot gap.
But Hojgaard didn’t show signs of relenting as he ramped up the pressure on the Englishman with an eagle putt at the last to tie the scores. However, Penge kept his composure, sinking a birdie at the last to close with a final round 67 and secure a narrow victory.
“I’ve been playing so well this year,” Penge said. “Coming back from my time off, to have won so soon [after that] and to achieve what I’ve achieved since I won.
“My main goal after I won was to not get complacent and drop off basically. My team have been a massive support for me, my family, everyone involved really.
“It’s made me keep striving for more and this is amazing. And Rasmus, he’s some player, to hit the shot he hit into the last and make eagle and basically make me have to win it was unbelievable.”
Penge’s fellow countryman Ben Schmidt finished third on 12 under while there was a tie for fourth between Italy’s Gregorio De Leo and Sweden’s Mikael Lindberg on 11 under.
What is the next event?
The next event on the DP World Tour schedule is the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo taking place between 21-24 August at The Belfry Hotel & Resort in England.