Professional golfer Marco Penge has been handed a significant suspension and fine by the DP World Tour after it was discovered that the Englishman was gambling on tournaments.
Penge violated regulation 3(a)(i), which states “no covered person shall either directly or indirectly bet or instruct any other person to bet on the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any professional or elite amateur golf event anywhere in the world.”
The 26-year-old placed bets on multiple tournaments he was playing in, but according to a statement from the Tour, he “did not bet on himself or on the progress of tournaments during days when he was participating, leading the panel to find that the integrity of such events had not been compromised.”
Penge has been suspended for three months and also fined 2,000 Euros with his eligible return date set for February 13, 2025. There are six tournaments on the DP World Tour calendar between now and his return date in February.
Marco Penge has been suspended for three months for gambling on tournaments. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)
Penge turned pro in 2017 and made 19 of 28 starts on the European Tour last season. He finished 110th in the Race to Dubai season-long standings, which was enough to retain his eligibility for the 2025 season.
In October 2023, Korn Ferry Tour golfers Vince India and Jake Staiano were also suspended for sports gambling. The difference between their case and Penge's is that neither Staiano nor India placed bets on the games they played.
India and Staiano violated the PGA Tour's Integrity Program, which is designed to “prevent and reduce betting-related corruption at PGA Tour events.” The program applies to “all tours owned and/or operated by the PGA Tour anywhere in the world.”
