Hainan Island, China – England’s Marco Penge finished on Sunday with a low 5-shot of 67, winning his first European Tour title at the Hainan Classic, two months after he returned from a ban on betting on golf.
The win lasted six months of wildness for Pengge, which was from him nearly retaining the European card and taking third place in the Asian swing to secure a seat in the PGA Championship next month.
The European Tour bets on golf for Penge for three months, though he is sure he never bets on himself or anyone in the game. He was fined 2,000 pounds.
“It obviously means the world to me, and it’s something I’ve always dreamed of achieving and winning on the biggest stage. After I’m on vacation, I want to really prove myself to myself and prove to everyone, to everyone who is a player, to everyone.”
The 26-year-old Pengge was charged early by Sean Crocker in the top nine. Crocker fell too many bogeys and scored a 66 shot with Kristoffer Reitan (67) for a three-pointer. Page ended with 271 and 17 shots.
Keita Nakajima won the Asian swing on the European Tour, followed by Eugenio Chacarra of Spain and Pench. The three won a place in Quail Hollow at the PGA Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina from May 15 to 18.
Penge also moved to No. 11 in Dubai.
