Is Marco Penge deserving of a captain's pick for the Ryder Cup?

Marco Penge is one of the names Luke Donald should be considering for a captain’s pick for next month’s Ryder Cup, but how strong are his claims for a place?

Penge has enjoyed an excellent season in just he second season on the DP World Tour, and he arrived at the Betfred British Masters as Rory McIlroy’s closest challenger in the Race to Dubai rankings.

The 27-year-old bounced back from missing the cut in The 153rd Open with an outstanding victory at the Danish Golf Championship, his birdie at the last pipping home favourite Rasmus Hojgaard to the title.

It was Penge’s second win of the season having also claimed the Hainan Classic crown in April, while he also shared the podium with McIlroy at the Genesis Scottish Open, finishing two shots behind Chris Gotterup.

When you look at his results, allied with an attractive - and attacking - style of play, then his claims for a Ryder Cup debut are realistically strong. His form is in good order, as he proved with a sublime 63 on day three at The Belfry, and there is little doubt about his confidence.

That all said, if I’m in Donald’s shoes when considering the six captain’s picks for Bethpage, I would be tempted by Penge, but not sold. In my book, right now, he’ll have to wait another couple of years.

This is the Ryder Cup, there are not many sporting arenas that create such pressure on individual athletes. And it’s in New York, where the home fans are merciless and fiercely intimidating.

The atmosphere at Bethpage is likely to rival what we saw in the infamous Battle of Brookline. It’s not for the faint-hearted, only the strong-willed need apply.

Penge will not have come remotely close to experiencing the cauldron that the vociferous USA support will create during the Ryder Cup. While he is deserving of a pick based on results and form, it could also be unfair on him to throw him into the heat of battle after one successful season on Tour.

It would be a different situation if Europe were the hosts, and although Penge comes across as a resolute character, to give that character the ultimate test Stateside does seem a risk that is not worth taking.

There is also another significant matter that counts against the Englishman - his track record off the course is not unblemished.

It was only a little under nine months ago that Penge was suspended by the DP World Tour for a breach of betting regulations. An independent disciplinary panel found him guilty of placing bets on “multiple golf events”.

Although he had not bet on himself, Penge’s transgression broke strict rules in the Tour’s integrity programme, and he was punished with a three-month ban, with one month suspended.

Penge took full responsibility and said: “This was all a genuine and honest mistake that I have taken full responsibility for and I will never ever make the same mistake again.”

That’s fine, we all deserve a second chance. But if Donald is genuinely considering Penge for a pick, the European captain could be reminded by the authorities that selecting a recently-suspended player might not be a good look for the Tour.

I’m sure that Penge will not be fully expecting a Ryder Cup debut in September, given the quality and experience of other contenders on Donal’d shortlist. If he’s overlooked, he’ll take it on the chin and focus on qualifying for the team at Adare Manor in 2027.

I’d be surprised if we see him at Bethpage, but it’ll be no shock to me if he’s playing a starring role in Ireland.

Donald names his six captain's picks for the Ryder Cup on Monday 1 September.