logo
England's Penge claims maiden DP World Tour title

England's Penge claims maiden DP World Tour title

BBC News27-04-2025
Hainan Classic - final leaderboard-17 M Penge (Eng); -14 S Crocker (US), K Reitan (Nor); -13 R Neergaard-Petersen (Den); -12 M Couvra (Fra); -11 E Molinari (Ita), S Bairstow (Eng), X Bowen (Chn)Selected others: -7 C Purcell (Ire); -6 B Schmidt (Eng), M Baldwin (Eng), G Forrest (Sco), A Sullivan (Eng); -5 J SeniorFull leaderboard
England's Marco Penge claimed his maiden DP World Tour title - just two months after returning from a betting ban.The 26-year-old was given a three-month ban in December for placing bets on multiple events, with one month suspended for a year.Since returning to action, Penge had finished third at the South African Open in March, and followed that up by securing a three-shot victory at the Hainan Classic in China on Sunday.Penge, who joined the European-based tour last year, started the day in a share of the lead with China's Xiao Bowen and was one shot behind Sean Crocker as he began the back nine.But he hit three straight birdies from the 12th to go clear before finishing with a five-under 67 to seal the win on 17 under par.American Crocker finished in a tie for second with Norway's Kristoffer Reitan on 14 under, with Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen a shot further back."This means the world to me," said Penge. "It's something that I've always dreamt of achieving - winning on the biggest stage."After my 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."Victory saw Penge finish third on the DP World Tour's Asian Swing standings so he also earned a spot at the US PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.Japan's Keita Nakajima, who finished in a tie for 11th on Sunday, was top of the standings ahead of Spain's Eugenio Chacarra, so both will also be heading to the year's second major next month.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

England have created their own luck at Euro 2025, says Walsh
England have created their own luck at Euro 2025, says Walsh

Reuters

timea few seconds ago

  • Reuters

England have created their own luck at Euro 2025, says Walsh

ZURICH, July 24 (Reuters) - England midfielder Keira Walsh disagrees with fan chatter that her team have been lucky at the European championships, arguing that the reigning champions have created their own fortune, largely through sheer stubborn belief. Late goals by 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang saved England at the brink in both their quarter-final against Sweden and semi against Italy to set up Sunday's Euro 2025 decider against world champions Spain. "Maybe it looks like chaos but for us it doesn't feel like that," Walsh said at England's training base on Thursday. "I've heard that people have been saying that it was luck. But you create those moments yourself, through belief, determination, confidence. "I think it's not by luck that Michelle's in the box and scoring. It is not luck that people are putting crosses into the box. It's thought out, it's purposeful. "And I think it's the absolute belief that no matter what minute of the game it is, we're going to win or we're going to get a result that we need to take us to extra time. I think that's kind of the resilience of this team as well." The referee was starting to glance at her watch when Agyemang struck in the 96th minute against Italy on Tuesday to send the game to extra time where Chloe Kelly smashed home the rebound of her own penalty shot. "Maybe the way we've done it is a little bit more stressful for everyone," Walsh said from England's training base on Thursday. "But that's kind of the beauty of this team, that we are relentless, and we've got belief in ourselves, that even in the 90th minute we can get a goal and we can win." Sunday marks England's third consecutive major tournament final and a chance for revenge against the team that beat them in the 2023 World Cup final. That will not be a focus when they take the pitch in Basel though, Walsh said. "Obviously that was a massive disappointment, but I think as a football player you can be too emotional," said the Chelsea midfielder. "Just focus on the positives and not draw on that too much. You think about it a little bit but put it to the side and focus on Sunday." The team watched Spain's 1-0 win over Germany in extra time together in their hotel players' lounge on Wednesday night, and like anyone who saw the game marvelled at twice-reigning Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati's brilliant goal from a tight angle. "(It was) Bonmati magic," Walsh said. "Most players in that position wouldn't even think about shooting, they would automatically cross, it was a fantastic goal." The team have received pleading messages not to let Sunday's final go to extra time, while midfielder Georgia Stanway's dad has said his nerves are shot. Walsh laughed and said never mind the families. "Sitting there for us is equally not nice."

Gordon on earlier Hearts exit interest and Romanov claims
Gordon on earlier Hearts exit interest and Romanov claims

The Herald Scotland

time30 minutes ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Gordon on earlier Hearts exit interest and Romanov claims

After initial interest from clubs, he had signed a lucrative contract to remain at Tynecastle. However, it was becoming clear his abilities were elite-level, by this point the Scotland number one, and his exit was inevitable. A transfer offer from Italian side Palermo was rejected and there were links to Celtic, Rangers, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Sunderland, among others. In a recent podcast appearance, madcap former owner Romanov had claimed that, at the time of the new contract, he had given Gordon a blank cheque to remain at the club and fend off interest from Celtic. He also claimed that he signed off on the deal despite the goalkeeper responding with a sum that dwarfed anything else at Hearts, or indeed in Scottish football. The 42-year-old, now in his second spell at Hearts and about to receive a testimonial match against the Black Cats on Saturday, has had his say on what really happened. Speaking on the Scarves Around the Funnel podcast, he said: "There's a small element of truth in that, but not a great deal from my side. "Hearts made me a good contract offer to stay. It wasn't Celtic that were the interested party at that point, so that's wrong. But that makes a nice story because that's where I ended up going to play. So, it wasn't Celtic. There was another offer on the table. And Hearts more than matched it. "It wasn't as if they went and blew the budget for everybody or for a huge amount from within Scottish football. I mean, that's just not true. I earned more at Celtic when I did eventually go there than what I earned at Hearts. "So the amounts he's talking about or trying to refer to are probably a little bit inflated, or just maybe just leaving it to people's imagination, but it is not quite, not quite as large as he's making out." Asked which club the interest really came from, he went on: "It was Rangers. So he's got the wrong half of Glasgow. They were interested at that point, but nothing ever happened there. "I was happy to sign at Hearts. They made an equivalent offer and there was no point moving to Rangers at that point when I was earning the same, playing for Hearts, who I always wanted to play for and who I felt were really making big strides to try and bridge that gap and challenge for titles and for European football. So for me, that was a fairly easy decision." The Arsenal interest appeared concrete, especially when then boss Arsene Wenger was quoted as being a big fan of the player. At the time, the legendary Frenchman said Gordon had "presence and good handling and looks a very good goalkeeper to me." Read more: So, did the Premier League giants ever make any contact behind the scenes? "No, actually. That was the extent of it," Gordon insists. "There was no offer or anything like that. "So that was just a bit of stuff in the media really that they were chatting about, but nothing, nothing concrete. Nothing ever came of that." Sunderland was the eventual destination for the Scotland star, at that point aged 24. At the time, Aston Villa were reported to have made a last-ditch attempt to persuade him to change his mind and head to the Midlands instead. That was true, Gordon has now revealed, but there was never any chance of him changing his mind. "The Villa thing was true," he admitted. "They were looking for a new goalkeeper that summer as well. They eventually signed Scott Carson. But that was a possibility. "I was already in the room negotiating with Sunderland when that call came in and they were trying to get me out of that and get me down to Birmingham to discuss things with them. But Sunderland wanted to do the deal there and then. Not let us out of the building before it was signed. "So they were very keen and showing all the interest. So I was more than happy to stay there and sign the contract and begin my Premier League career there."

Rangers ‘have bid for £10m-rated Premier League star REJECTED but aren't giving up on key target'
Rangers ‘have bid for £10m-rated Premier League star REJECTED but aren't giving up on key target'

Scottish Sun

timean hour ago

  • Scottish Sun

Rangers ‘have bid for £10m-rated Premier League star REJECTED but aren't giving up on key target'

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RANGERS have seen a bid turfed out for one of their top transfer targets, according to a report. The Light Blues have already added seven new faces this summer and they're keen for more. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 4 Jesurun Rak-Sakyi of Crystal Palace Credit: Getty 4 The winger was on loan at Sunderland last season Credit: Getty 4 Russell Martin is hoping to add more players to his squad Credit: Willie Vass Rangers kicked-off the Russell Martin era with a 2-0 win over Panathinaikos on Tuesday night. Findlay Curtis and debutant Djeidi Gassama both struck to give the Gers a crucial victory in their opening Champions League qualifier. Winger Gassama is the club's most recent signing, having signed a week before the big European clash. It had all gone a little bit quiet on the transfer front - but not anymore. SunSport exclusively revealed Rangers' interest in Jesurun Rak-Sakyi at the beginning of this month. We told you how the Light Blues were looking at the 22-year old Crystal Palace winger, who impressed while on loan at Sheffield United last season. With Rak-Sakyi rated at £10m, SunSport told how the Gers could look at exploring a loan deal but a permanent move wasn't out of the equation for a lower fee. We also told you how there was plenty of interest from other clubs in Rak-Sakyi, who has played eight times in the Premier League for Palace. Current top flight club Wolves were one of the clubs credited with having an interest in signing him. A few weeks on, there has been a development with regards to Rangers. Rangers fans unfurl giant tifo ahead of Russell Martin's first match According to The Athletic, Rangers have now made their move for Rak-Sakyi. But it's reportedly been REJECTED by Crystal Palace. The report claims it was a loan approach - plus a potential obligation to buy of up to £10m. While the offer is claimed to have been kicked out, Rangers' pursuit IS ongoing. Other reports, however, have claimed there is NO obligation to buy and the Gers' offer is a straight loan. Interest from elsewhere remains in the player. While the Gers' search for a winger continues, the wide positions went to Findlay Curtis and Kieran Dowell on Tuesday night. It proved a night to remember for Curtis, 18, who scored an absolute stunner early in the second half to break the deadlock. 4 The teenager revealed he found out he was starting the big game on Monday - and that his parents burst into tears when he told them. Curtis explained: "The manager named the team. I was speechless. "I texted my mum and dad, told them, and they started crying. "It was a good family moment. "I didn't get much sleep on Monday night. "My mum came through to me and said, 'you need to get some sleep'. "I was excited so I didn't get much sleep, but when I woke up on Tuesday morning it was awesome." Have YOU got a point for Kris Boyd? Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah chew over the big talking points each week SOMETHING you've just got to get off your chest from the weekend action? A burning Scottish football talking point you can't wait to bring up with Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah? SunSport's GoBallistic show wants to hear from you! So why not help set the Scottish football agenda for the week ahead! Have your say on the game's big topics by emailing us on: GoBallistic@ It's YOUR turn to Go Ballistic! Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store