Even though the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LIV Golf all have partnerships with different betting companies, the players themselves are forbidden from placing any sort of wager.
It’s a tricky balance, especially since gambling ads litter any golf broadcast nowadays. But the rules are the rules, and Englishman Marco Penge violated the European Tour’s Integrity Programme by placing bets on multiple golf events other than his own.
As a result, the DP World Tour suspended Penge for three months, effective December 13. That means he can return to the tour on February 13, 2025, a date sandwiched between the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and the Magical Kenya Open. Penge last played at the ISPS Handa Australian Open in late November, where he tied for 27th.
The DP World Tour also fined Penge £2,000, a modest amount considering this is his first violation. However, if Penge continues to place a bet on any pro golf event, his suspension will be incrementally increased by one month. If multiple breaches occur, the DP World Tour could suspend him for a year.
This suspension comes after Penge completed his first full year on the DP World Tour, as the 409th-ranked player in the world finished 80th in the Race to Dubai standings. He did rank fourth on tour in driving distance, averaging an incredible 321.66 yards off the tee, but that did not translate to much success. Penge did not record a single top-10 in 2024, with his best finish coming at the Irish Open at Royal County Down. The Englishman tied for 12th that week, finishing eight strokes behind winner Rasmus Højgaard.
Now, he will have three months away from the tour to practice his game while abstaining from gambling.
Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.
