Penge shatters course record on the way to top

Marco Penge has set a new course record at Dudsbury Golf Club in his opening round of The GolfCatcher Championship going nine under for a round of 62.

The Golf at Goodwood Golfer is having some week after finishing top of his regional qualifying for The Open with a round of 66, six under.

Penge was seven under through his front nine including eagle, birdie, eagle on his middle three. On the back nine, he picked up three birdies to find himself three clear after opening rounds.

He said: “My game feels great. It’s felt great all year really. Just been waiting for everything to kind of come together and everything be good on that one day. And today has been that day really. Everything was great. Putting well and driving it well.”

Jack Gaunt (Drayton Park Golf Club) went around in six under along with Todd Clements of Brocket Hall, who is making his first appearance on the tour since winning at his home course in the opening event of the season.

Gaunt was five under for his front nine whilst Clements went bogey-free to start their weeks off on a high.

The Scottish duo of Paul McKechnie (Braid Hills Golf Centre) and Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock, Barassie) are tied fourth on five under with Thomas Curtis (Pannal Golf Club).

Dudsbury Golf Club’s own, Lee Thompson is tied eleventh on three under along with several other players including another local golfer Martyn Thompson of Parkstone Golf Club.