Penge Finds His Perfect Swing in Hainan
English star ignites eagle run to set up thrilling showdown with local favourite Xiao
Seoul, Korea - Marco Penge has always had the flair, but on Saturday at Mission Hills Haikou, he added a splash of brilliance to his ambition, carding an electric seven-under 65 to surge into a tie for the lead at the Hainan Classic alongside China's own Bowen Xiao.
Penge's third round was a rollercoaster of momentum, a day of dazzling shots and just one major blemish. Early birdies set a brisk pace before an errant drive at the sixth threatened disaster, leaving him with a double bogey. But the 26-year-old, unfazed, gathered himself impressively, quickly cutting back the damage with a birdie on the next hole.
What came next was pure golfing magic. At the short par-four 10th, from 145 yards out, Penge delivered an eagle two, holing out in spectacular fashion. He then soared again with his second eagle in just three holes at the par-five 12th. A final birdie at the 17th saw him set a challenging clubhouse lead at 12-under par.
"I started off great; my approach play was really strong today," said Penge, visibly pleased yet composed. "The shot at six was probably one of the worst I've ever hit, but I bounced back well."
Level with Penge, Xiao delighted local fans by matching his seven-under-par 65, reinforcing his reputation on the island with a typically confident display. The 35-year-old, still chasing his first DP World Tour victory, now faces a thrilling head-to-head with Penge.
New Zealander Daniel Hillier sits ominously just a stroke back, while a trio comprising Englishman Sam Bairstow, France's Martin Couvra, and Australia's Elvis Smylie remain firmly in contention, two shots adrift.
With a maiden DP World Tour victory within touching distance, Penge remains grounded. "Me and my caddy have been focusing on controlling what we can," he said thoughtfully. "Whatever happens tomorrow won't define me—I just love doing what I do."