Rory McIlroy's Response on Longest Hitter This Week
Rory McIlroy will be the clear favourite as he prepares to tee off at this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. However, he faces a new challenge: he won’t be the longest hitter in his group on Thursday at the DP World Tour event.
Marco Penge: The English Bomber
McIlroy will be paired with Marco Penge, a powerful English player who has already won three DP World Tour titles in 2025. The duo is expected to engage in a driving contest, especially since the media has focused on this aspect ahead of the tournament.
Driving Distance and Effectiveness
- Rory McIlroy currently averages 320.3 yards off the tee in driving distance.
- Marco Penge closely follows with an average of 319.19 yards.
- Nicolai Hojgaard leads the category with a 321.5-yard average.
What really sets McIlroy and Penge apart is their effectiveness with these long drives. Penge ranks second in strokes gained off the tee (+1.06), just a fraction behind Jon Rahm, who has played fewer tournaments this season.
Anticipation of the Duel
This week marks the first time the two will play together as the top contenders in the Race to Dubai standings.
“I don’t know,” Penge said on Tuesday when asked who would hit longer.
Both players bring strong skills to the tee, highlighting the exciting dynamic of their pairing.
Author's Summary
Rory McIlroy and Marco Penge are set for a thrilling contest at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, with Penge challenging McIlroy’s status as the longest hitter in their group.
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