Golfer Marco Penge Suspended Over Betting Breach

English golfer Marco Penge has been suspended by the DP World Tour after violating the PGA European Tour’s Integrity Programme by placing bets on golf events.

Penge, aged 26, was found to have breached Regulation 3(a)(i) of the Integrity Programme, as determined by an Independent Disciplinary Panel. While the investigation confirmed that Penge did not wager on his own performance or on tournaments during his participation days, his actions still contravened the strict rules prohibiting betting activity by players.

The sanction includes a three-month suspension from professional golf, with one month deferred for 12 months, contingent on no further violations. The suspension began on 13 December, barring Penge from competition until 13 February 2025. Additionally, he was fined £2,000 (€2,408/$2,499).

In a statement, the DP World Tour acknowledged Penge’s cooperation during the investigation:
“The panel found that Penge’s immediate admission of breach and co-operation throughout the investigation warranted mitigation reflected in the eventual sanction imposed.”

Penge, who turned professional in 2017, has secured three professional victories, including wins at the Open de Portugal and the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final in 2023.

Golf Betting Trends See Major Growth

The popularity of golf betting has grown significantly in recent years, driven by innovations in live betting markets and expanded offerings from operators.

In October, DraftKings announced the acquisition of Dijon Systems, the parent company of Mustard Golf, a leading supplier of golf betting models and pricing. This acquisition allows DraftKings to enhance its live golf betting services with advanced data models and the introduction of new bet types.

Mustard Golf’s expertise in real-time trading and pricing is set to bolster DraftKings’ position in the competitive sports betting market, reflecting the ongoing evolution of betting in the sport of golf.