PGA Tour star releases statement after withdrawing from U.S. Open: "I'll be back soon"

Marco Penge has withdrawn from the 2026 U.S. Open. 

The 28-year-old, who is playing his rookie season on the PGA Tour, announced on Tuesday evening that he won't be teeing it up at Shinnecock Hills next week. 

Penge revealed he has made the decision to focus on his health after battling an unknown condition for the last eight months. 

The Englishman revealed after missing the cut at last month's PGA Championship he was stepping away from the sport. 

Penge went down with a viral infection last November and, he previously said, has dealt with a number of symptoms - including vertigo. 

"Unfortunately, myself and my team have decided that I am going to have to WD from the U.S. Open, which I'm gutted about," Penge wrote. 

My health is the no.1 priority for now and until I get to the bottom of the issues I wont be competing. The plan is to return fully fit.

He continued: "I have had numerous scans and seen several specialists and we are getting close to resolving the issue that I’ve been struggling with for eight months. 

"I appreciate the continued support as always and I'll be back soon!"

Penge's replacement in the field at the third men's major of the year is yet to be confirmed.

His withdrawal could hand his compatriot, Matt Wallace, a spot after the 36-year-old grabbed one of the final alternate spots at final qualifying on Monday. 

Wallace was gifted the final spot after PGA Tour golfer Adam Svensson made a bizarre and costly rules blunder. 

As for Penge, he will look to bounce back in time for next month's Open at Royal Birkdale. 

He qualified for the final men's major of the year by virtue of his win at the Open de Espana last summmer. 

That victory also handed him his first Masters start, where he made the cut and finished in a share of 49th. 

Penge came into the 2025/2026 season with high expectations having won three DP World Tour titles. 

He had a slim chance of pipping Rory McIlroy to the Race to Dubai title but came down with a viral infection ahead of the season-ending playoffs. 

Penge revealed last month that he had an MRI scan on his brain to try and discover the issue. 

Thankfully, nothing serious was discovered. 

This season, Penge has teed up in 12 PGA Tour events and missed five cuts. 

He told reporters before the Valspar Championship that he was finding it a little bit difficult to adapt to life in the United States. 

I think with the season I had last year, obviously I think there was high expectations on me from the outside world,” he explained.

“For myself, I feel like I’m still got so much to learn and quite far away from where I want to be or where I feel like I could be. But it’s just taking time to adapt over here.

“It’s slightly different golf to what it is in Europe. The courses are set up slightly harder and playing with better players every week. So, yeah, my expectations are pretty low, to be fair.”

England will be well represented at the U.S. Open. 

Aaron Rai, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Harry Hall, Tyrrell Hatton, Justin Rose, Laurie Canter and Alex Fitzpatrick are competing. 

World number one Scottie Scheffler is the favourite to win the gold medal and clinch the grand slam on his first attempt.