The Englishman has enjoyed a career-changing 12 months and sits second in the Race to Dubai Rankings behind the reigning Masters Champion, setting up a thrilling showdown at the opening event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs. It's been a remarkable turnaround for Penge, who finished his rookie season on the DP World Tour in 110th place on the 2024 Race to Dubai Rankings – five places shy of losing his playing privileges. He retained his card in dramatic fashion, making a birdie on the 18th hole during the second round of the 2024 Genesis Championship, the last event of the regular season, to make the cut and keep his card, making this year's three-win campaign all the more extraordinary. “I think I have always believed in my ability, and I know what my potential is,” said Penge, who is making his debut at the penultimate Rolex Series event of the season. “I think my career's been pretty good, in a way. I had a couple years on the Euro Pro, and then got my Challenge (HotelPlanner) Tour card and kind of COVID hit. So had a year, waited there. Then I had a year out being injured. I feel like a lot of my progression has been really good. Just doesn't look as good as it may seem. Seems like I've kind of come out of nowhere. But every tour that I've played, I've kind of got off the second year.” He later added: “I still am in disbelief in a way that I am in the position that I am. Not from the point that I don't think I'm good enough, just from the point of how fast it's happened.”

Penge's three victories this season came at the Hainan Classic in April, the Danish Golf Championship in August, and most recently at the Open de España presented by Madrid last month, where he defeated compatriot Dan Brown in a play-off to secure his place in both the 2026 Masters Tournament and The 154th Open Championship. Dual membership on the PGA TOUR now beckons for Penge, who is hoping to cap off his breakthrough season by toppling McIlroy and claiming his first Race to Dubai title. With just 441.32 points separating the pair, 9,000 Race to Dubai points up for grabs on Yas Island this week, and the season-ending DP World Tour Championship offering 12,000 points, everything remains up for grabs in what promises to be a dramatic finale to the season. “I know on Thursday morning when I step on the tee I'm going to have some adrenaline because I'm playing with one of the best players in the world for the first time,” said Penge, who will be playing with McIlroy for the first time in his career. “I don't think I'm going to be too nervous. It's purely the adrenaline, similar to how I felt in the play-off at the Spanish Open. I've got a lot of things in place to prepare for that. Fully aware of it already in my head that that's how I'm going to feel. But I clarified with my psychologist that I tend to play my best golf when I feel like that. It’s nothing to be scared of. I just want to enjoy the moment and enjoy the experience, being in this position and playing with the top players of the world.” General admission tickets are free for the first two days of the event. For the final two days, tickets start at just AED 100. Fans can also elevate their experience with Bar on Nine, the Ticket+ offering which was incredibly popular in 2024, with a limited number of promotional rate tickets for this exclusive option available from just AED 230, which includes an AED 100 voucher for food and drink. The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Premium Experience option is the Championship Chalet on the 18th, where spectators can enjoy five-star hospitality with the best view of the action. Nestled in a prime spot on the 18th green, guests will have exclusive access to the air-conditioned chalet and a shaded balcony with stunning panoramic views of the action on the final hole.