England's Marco Penge shot a second-round 64 to share the lead at the 2026 Genesis Invitational after 36 holes. The PGA Tour rookie, who missed cuts in his first two starts this season, tied with Jacob Bridgeman at 12-under par. Penge expressed surprise at encountering idols like Tiger Woods during the event.
Marco Penge, an Englishman entering his rookie season on the PGA Tour, has made an impressive start at the 2026 Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club. After struggling with missed cuts at Torrey Pines and TPC Scottsdale, Penge found form in the second Signature Event of the season. His second-round score of 64 brought him to 12-under par, tying him with Jacob Bridgeman for the 36-hole lead.
Penge's performance builds on a strong 2025 on the DP World Tour, where he secured three victories and a runner-up finish in the Scottish Open, earning him a full PGA Tour exemption. He noted the challenges of adapting to American conditions, saying, “I think just I need to adapt my game a little bit for here. Hitting full wedge shots is pretty key whereas in Europe taking the spin off is really key. It’s kind of one end of the spectrum to the other.”
The 26-year-old also shared a lighthearted moment from the tournament week: “Going for lunch on Tuesday and standing in the queue behind Tiger Woods is pretty cool. Just being in the presence of players that I have so much respect for, players that I’ve watched growing up, players I idolize.” Penge's confidence stems from his recent successes, including a solid showing at last year's PGA Championship. He faces stiff competition from world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and No. 2 Rory McIlroy in the field.
Penge remains focused on the process, stating, “I’m looking forward to the process of that. And regardless of how this year goes, this is a year that I’ll never forget and can always say that I played on the PGA TOUR.” His wife, Sophie, a former professional golfer, supports him from their new home in Florida, where the family relocated with their son Enzo and dog Otis.