In 2025, Marco Penge was on top of the world. With three DP World Tour victories, he was in the OWGR top 30, and all that success even earned him a PGA Tour card for the 2026 season. However, in 2026, Penge is not as on top of his game as he was and has announced he will take a break after the PGA Championship.
Marco Penge In 2026
For Penge, 2026 thus far, has not all been bad. During the Valspar Championship, he finished T4, and during the Genesis Invitational, he finished with a respectable T16. However, during the Players Championship, the Texas Children’s Houston Open, and the PGA Championship, Penge has missed the cut. Penge also had to withdraw from the Sony Open and the Myrtle Beach Classic. He does have something to pin this performance on: an infection he got in Dubai. Like Collin Morikawa earlier this year, he felt the need to take a break to recover.
Health And The Announcement
Marco Penge has been struggling with his health since he had a viral infection during the DPWT events in Dubai as the 2025 season was wrapping up. It’s also why he had a delayed debut for the PGA’s 2026 season. He just kept feeling the effects of the infection up through now. In the months that followed, he experienced issues that involved his ear, neck, and nervous system. The concerns have led to him having an MRI done, which has thankfully come back clear. It all came to a head on Sunday when Penge made the announcement on his Instagram that he would be taking a break for his own health.
“This week didn’t go the way I wanted it to, but that’s golf. Moving forward, I have decided that I am going to take some time off to get my health back to where it needs to be. Thank you for your support as always! I’ll be back soon!”
Fans came out in droves to wish Penge a speedy and smooth recovery. Fans were positive, sympathetic, and supportive; one even told a story of getting an autograph from Penge at The Open last year. One fan wrote:
“You’ve been through so much in last year and still managed some great performances. Take some time and come back strong and focused on the task in hand, keeping your PGA card! Performances even with everything going on show you have so much more to give! Good luck, Marco.”
Marco Penge And Recovery
At the time of writing, Penge is looking at the US Open for a return, but is hoping to come back sooner. Fans only want the best for him after the show he put on for them in the 2025 season. Hopefully, he’ll be able to make it in time for the US Open and make his grand return. Maybe even work his way towards a major victory. For now, though, the golf world is wishing him a smooth recovery and that his ailments will soon be in the past.
Main Photo Credit: © James Lang-Imagn Images
