Marco Penge capitalised on Rasmus Højgaard’s back-nine stumble to claim his second DP World Tour title at the Danish Golf Championship.
The Englishman, who secured his maiden win at the Hainan Classic in April, produced a composed final-round performance at Furesø Golf Klub to finish on 16 under par – edging out the home favourite in dramatic fashion.
Penge trailed by four through six holes after Højgaard’s electric start, which included an eagle at the 3rd and birdies at the 4th and 6th. But the Dane faltered with a bogey at the 8th and a double at the 9th, allowing Penge to draw level at the turn.
By the 13th, the 25-year-old Englishman held a two-shot advantage thanks to a superb 37-foot birdie putt. Højgaard closed the gap with a birdie at the 14th before slipping back with a three-putt bogey at 15.
The decisive moment came at the 17th, where Penge fired a brilliant approach to two feet for birdie. Højgaard refused to fold, producing a clutch eagle at the par-five 18th to tie the lead and pile the pressure back on the Englishman.
Unfazed, Penge rolled in a nerveless three-footer for birdie to seal victory, his second of the season, while also topping the Closing Swing Rankings.
“I’ve been playing so well this year,” said Penge. “After my first win, my goal was not to get complacent. My team and family have been amazing in keeping me striving for more. To win again and against a player like Rasmus, who pushed me all the way, makes this so special.”
Højgaard, chasing a successful title defence, settled for runner-up on 15 under. England’s Ben Schmidt finished solo third on 12 under after a final-round 68, with Sweden’s Mikael Lindberg and Italy’s Gregorio De Leo a shot further back in a tie for fourth.
Australian Elvis Smylie and Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan shared sixth on nine under, while Finland’s Oliver Lindell and Sami Välimäki joined Norway’s Mats Ege and American Johannes Veerman in the top 10.
South African Richard Sterne finished on two under in a tie for 29th.
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– Article from DP World Tour website
Photo: Luke Walker/Getty Images
Article Link: Penge holds nerve to clinch Danish Golf Championship