Emotional Penge bounces back from betting ban for first DP Tour win / Photo: Martin KEEP - AFP
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Emotional Penge bounces back from betting ban for first DP Tour win
Marco Penge bounced back from a three-month DP World Tour suspension to take an emotional maiden victory on the Europe-based circuit on Sunday that also booked him a spot in next month's US PGA Championship.
A five-under final-round 67 gave the Englishman a three-stroke victory in the Hainan Classic at Mission Hills in southern China.
Penge had been banned in December for placing bets on golf events in breach of the tour's integrity programme.
The 26-year-old returned to the circuit only two months ago.
Finding himself one shot behind the charging American Sean Crocker by the turn on Sunday, overnight leader Penge rolled home three birdies in a row from the 12th to secure a comfortable win.
"This obviously means the world to me," said Penge, who carded seven birdies and two bogeys to finish on 17-under par for the tournament.
"It's something that I've always dreamt of achieving -- winning on the biggest stage," he added.
"After my (enforced) time off it was the thing that I wanted to really prove to myself and prove to everyone, to show what a player I am.
"My caddie, through that time, has been my rock. And my wife and my whole team -- I wouldn't be where I am without them," said Penge, cracking with emotion.
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
Crocker, who fired a six-under 66, finished in a tie for second alongside Norway's Kristoffer Reitan (67), three shots behind Penge.
Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (67) was another shot further back in sole fourth place.
Penge added: "We spend a lot of time away from home. All of us lads are doing this for our wives, families, kids.
"I walked to the tee, I watched some videos of (my son) laughing and smiling and it gave me a bit of that inner strength today."
Penge will now tee up at the year's second major, the US PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, after finishing third on the DP World Tour's Asian Swing standings.
Keita Nakajima of Japan topped the rankings after being tied 11th in Hainan on Sunday.
Former LIV player Eugenio Chacarra of Spain was ranked second and Penge third, with all three players now receiving invites to the second major of the year next month.
P.Martin--AMWN