The DP World Tour has suspended English golfer Marco Penge after a disciplinary panel determined he placed bets on multiple golf events, which violated the tour’s integrity program.
The 26-year-old Penge, ranked No. 414 in the world, did not bet on himself or on tournaments in which he played, leading the panel to conclude that the integrity of those events had not been compromised.
Penge received a three-month suspension, effective from December 13, 2024, with one month of this suspension suspended for a year pending any further breaches of the integrity program.
Additionally, he was fined £2,000 ($2,539 USD). His penalties were mitigated due to his immediate admission of the breach and cooperation throughout the investigation process. This means Penge can return to DP World Tour participation from February 13, 2025, if he does not violate the policy again within the next year.
Ah yes, ban a player for placing a few bets on tournaments he’s not involved in but keep shoving Draftkings and Fanduel down our throats in nearly every golf event. Absolute hypocritical rubbish
— LowCutStinger (@LowCutStinger) December 18, 2024
DP World Tour Statement
An Independent Disciplinary Panel found that the Englishman placed bets on multiple golf events in breach of Regulation 3(a)(i)* of the Programme. Penge did not bet on himself or on the progress of tournaments during days when he was participating, leading the panel to find that the integrity of such events had not been compromised.
The Disciplinary Panel ruled that Penge’s breaches merited a three-month suspension with one month suspended for a period of 12 months pending further breaches of the Programme. The suspension took effect on 13 December 2024 and Penge can return to DP World Tour participation from 13 February 2025 onwards. He was also fined £2,000.
The Disciplinary Panel found that Penge’s immediate admission of breach and co-operation throughout the investigation warranted mitigation reflected in the eventual sanction imposed.
The Disciplinary Panel that heard the case was Philip Evans KC (Chair), sport administrator Les Vernon and Legends Tour Member Simon Khan.
The DP World Tour will make no further comment on this matter.
*Regulation 3(a)(i)
No Covered Person shall either directly or indirectly bet or instruct any other person to bet on the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of any professional or elite amateur golf event anywhere in the world.
