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Breakthrough year sets up dream Race to Dubai finale for England's Marco Penge
McIlroy, Reitan, Li, and Hatton also confirmed for the $10m Earth course finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates from November 13–16
- PUBLISHED: Thu 4 Sept 2025, 7:14 PM
- By:
- Nick Tarratt, Guest Golf Writer
Just twelve months ago, Marco Penge was clinging to his DP World Tour card after finishing 110th in the Race to Dubai Rankings.
Fast-forward to today, and the 27-year-old Englishman finds himself preparing for the biggest week of his career: the season-ending $10 million DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The Race to Dubai’s top five head to the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai from November 13–16.
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Penge’s transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. What began as a season of modest hopes quickly turned into a breakthrough campaign. His first DP World Tour victory came at the Hainan Classic. Weeks later, he tied for second at the Genesis Scottish Open, then cemented his place among the tour’s elite with a second win at the Danish Golf Championship.
Those performances propelled him not just into the top five of the Race to Dubai but into title contention.
“It’s been an incredible season for me,” said Penge, who was born in West Sussex, England, to a family with Italian heritage. ‘To go from just keeping my card last year to winning twice and now being right up there on the Race to Dubai is something I could only have dreamed of.
“To have the chance to compete for the Harry Vardon Trophy in Dubai is really special, and I’m looking forward to finishing the season on such a big stage.”
The Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates has hosted plenty of golfing drama, but Penge will need to overcome some formidable company if he hopes to end the year with the Harry Vardon Trophy in his hands.
Dubai stage awaits champions
Defending champion Rory McIlroy leads the way, chasing yet another Race to Dubai crown, together with Kristoffer Reitan, Haotong Li, and Tyrrell Hatton, all winners on the 2025 Race to Dubai - are the latest stars confirmed to play in the Dubai showpiece.
Together, the quintet represents both established stars and fresh challengers.
Norway’s Reitan has also enjoyed a breakthrough year. The 27-year-old, who finished seventh on the HotelPlanner Tour’s Road to Mallorca Rankings last season, became only the second Norwegian to win on the DP World Tour when he lifted the Soudal Open trophy earlier this year. Four further top-five finishes have since pushed him to third in the Rankings ahead of his DP World Tour Championship debut.
“I’m really excited to finish the season in Dubai at the DP World Tour Championship,” said Reitan. “Every player wants to be part of this tournament – it shows you’ve had a good year, and hopefully I can finish the season strongly.”
Li and Hatton deliver
Li and Hatton, ranked fourth and fifth respectively, have both underlined their credentials in 2025. Li holed a clutch 15-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to claim the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, his fourth DP World Tour title, three years after his previous win at the 2022 BMW International Open.
Hatton, meanwhile, captured his eighth DP World Tour title and a record-equalling fifth Rolex Series crown earlier this year, defeating Daniel Hillier in a dramatic final-round duel at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. His form has also secured him automatic qualification for a fourth consecutive Ryder Cup appearance under captain Luke Donald.
“I’m happy to return to the DP World Tour Championship,” said Li, who will be making his first appearance in the season-ending Rolex Series event since 2022. “I’ve got great memories of Dubai from my win in 2018 just down the road, and hopefully we can make plenty more in November.”
Ryder Cup star Hatton, now playing in the LIV Golf League, added: “I had a great start to the year in Dubai, so I’m really looking forward to returning to finish the season at what is always one of the best stops of the year on the Tour.”
A week before the DP World Tour Championship brings the season to a close, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship kicks off the Play-Offs, with the top 70 available players following the Back 9 events gathering at Yas Links. At the culmination of the fourth Rolex Series event of the year, the top 50 players will tee off at the DP World Tour Championship, where the Race to Dubai winner will be crowned,