Former PGA Tour pro predicts Europe's next Ryder Cup star

Former PGA Tour member Brendon de Jonge believes England's Marco Penge could follow in Ludvig Aberg's footsteps and become Europe's next Ryder Cup star. 

The biennial contest heads to Bethpage Black on the outskirts of New York this September. 

Europe will once again be led by Luke Donald after the Englishman decided to run it back after success in Rome two years ago. 

The top order of his team will largely look the same with the likes of Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland, Sepp Straka and Aberg expected to wear the blue and gold. 

Despite Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton's switches to LIV Golf complicating matters, it also seems likely the Spaniard and fiery Englishman will feature. 

Justin Rose and Robert MacIntyre will also be desperate represent Europe and it seems difficult to believe Donald will leave out the Englishman given his performance at The Masters. The Scot also proved his metal at Marco Simone Golf Club in Italy. 

But elsewhere it remains to be seen who will receive a captain's pick. 

Will Matt Wallace finally get the chance to play in a Ryder Cup? Will Aaron Rai continue to impress on the PGA Tour and in the majors? Will Donald go rogue by selecting a bomber in Denmark Rasmus Neergaard-Peterson? 

De Jonge told the 5 Clubs podcast he believes Penge is the most likely to make a run for the team in the coming months. 

"This guy got his first win on the DP World Tour, and I was fortunate enough to watch him play a little bit at the PGA Championship," he said. 

"[The] guy hits it absolutely miles, cruising around that 190mph ball speed, big, tall guy. I think this guy is uber talented. I think he might be the Ludvig Aberg of this iteration of the Ryder Cup.

"He could be one of those guys who plays his way close and gives Luke Donald a difficult decision to make."

De Jonge was referencing the fact the golf world, largely, wasn't too familiar with Aberg when he was selected by Donald for the 2023 matches. 

Aberg was only a few months removed from turning professional when he got the call from Donald. 

Although he was a PGA and DP World Tour winner, Aberg had not even played in a major championship. 

Aberg secured two points for Europe on his Ryder Cup debut, including a dismantling of Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka in the foursomes. 

The Swede teamed up with Hovland and the pair battered the Americans 9&7. 

Who is Marco Penge?

Penge turned professional in 2017. 

The 27-year-old captured his first DP World Tour title at the Hainan Classic in April. 

His maiden win on the Wentworth-based circuit arrived a matter of months after his return to golf following a three-month betting ban. 

From 2022 to 2023, Penge had placed multiple bets on golf with an average stake of £24.

He did not bet on himself or the progress of tournaments during days where he participated, a DP World Tour spokesperson previously clarified. 

Penge played in his first major two weeks ago at the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in North Carolina. 

He played extremely well and finished in a share for 28th at the second men's major of the year. 

Penge is currently 26th in the European Ryder Cup standings.