Marco Penge is setting his sights on overhauling Rory McIlroy at the summit of the Race to Dubai Rankings ahead of an intriguing double-header featuring both players on the DP World Tour.
The Englishman arrives at this week’s Amgen Irish Open as the in-form golfer, backing up his second DP World Tour title of the campaign at the Danish Golf Championship with back-to-back top tens in England and Switzerland.
That has seen Penge move within 436 points of Race to Dubai pacesetter McIlroy, who headlines a star-studded international field at The K Club that features nine of the top ten in the season-long standings.
McIlroy sealed a record-equalling sixth Race to Dubai title last year to sit alongside the late, great Seve Ballesteros and further cement his status as one of the most decorated players in Tour history.
But with the return of the Rolex Series next week at the BMW PGA Championship, featuring increased points on offer, there is plenty of incentive for Penge to maintain his momentum in a breakout campaign.
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“I'm just trying to chase Rory down, to be honest,” said Penge, who is making his fifth start in as many weeks in Ireland.
"He's obviously playing this week and next week. So, I said to my team if we can beat him one of the weeks, I think we'll be doing all right.
"So, that's kind of the goal at the moment."
Beyond the upcoming two-week stretch, Penge has the advantage of knowing he will have more opportunities to pick up points than McIlroy, who is only committed to play at the inaugural DP World India Championship next month before the DP World Tour Play-Offs.
Up to career-high 60th in the Official World Golf Ranking, he has no intention of resting on his laurels.
"Of course, there's a chance that I can win the whole Race to Dubai," added Penge.
"How hard it's gonna be, will kind of depend on Rory.
"I'm just focusing on myself, trying to keep my year as good as I can. You know, I want to have more wins. I want to have some more top five finishes."
While his fine form was not enough to earn him a Captain’s Pick in Luke Donald’s Ryder Cup team at Bethpage later this month, Penge is “really proud” of how he has performed amid increased scrutiny in recent weeks.
“I love being in the spotlight,” added Penge, whose accomplishments so far this season are impressive considering he missed several weeks of the campaign earlier in the year due to a breach of DP World Tour regulations.
"I love having an opportunity to do something great and there's nothing to lose at the end of the day.
"Going up up against Rory, I couldn't ask for any more than that.
"I really want to make sure I play with him in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. I've never played with him, and I idolise him and look up to him so much."
Penge will play alongside Ryder Cup player Tyrrell Hatton and PGA TOUR winner Séamus Power over the opening two rounds in County Kildare.
