DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- The head-to-head between Rory McIlroy and Marco Penge at the season-ending World Tour Championship has gotten off to an extremely one-sided start.
While McIlroy rolled in seven birdies in a 6-under 66, Penge -- the young pretender trying to overhaul the established superstar in the European tour's Race to Dubai standings -- struggled to a 74 in the first round on Thursday.
Penge's birdie at No. 18 meant he avoided being tied for last in the 52-player field in the final event of Europe's 2025 season, with the Englishman seeing close up just what it will take to get to McIlroy's level.