Heinan, China – England’s Mark Penge was closed at 5 under 67 in a three-shot victory in the Hainan Classic for his first European tour title.
This victory concluded the Wild six months for Penge. It started with him keeping the European card narrow and ended with him finishing third in the Asian swing to win a spot at the PGA Championship next month.
On the European tour, he gave Penge three months of suspension to bet on golf, but he decided he would never bet on himself or anyone in the tournaments he played. He was fined £2,000.
“This clearly means the world to me,” Penge said, “it was something I always dreamed of achieving and I won at the greatest stage.
The 26-year-old Penge has thwarted an early charge from Front Nine’s Sean Crocker. Crocker retreated with too many bogeys, shooting a 66 and finishing three behinds with Christopher Laytan (67). Penge finished with a 17 under 271.
Nakajima keita won the Asian swing on the European tour, followed by Eugenio Chakara of Spain and Penge. All three won spots at Quazul Hollow for the PGA Championship from May 15-18 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Penge also moved to 11th place in the race to Dubai.