Rory McIlroy gives very reasonable response regarding who is the longer hitter in this week's bombers pairing

Rory McIlroy Comments on the Longest Hitter Debate at Abu Dhabi

Five-time major champion Rory McIlroy enters this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as a strong favorite, yet finds himself in an unusual spot — not necessarily the longest hitter in his group. He’ll be playing alongside Marco Penge, the British powerhouse who claimed three DP World Tour titles in 2025.

Both players are known for their distance off the tee, making a driving contest between them nearly inevitable as the tournament begins on Thursday.

Head-to-Head Statistics

While McIlroy maintains a slight statistical edge, Penge’s effectiveness from the tee has been remarkable. He currently ranks second in strokes gained off the tee (+1.06), trailing Jon Rahm by just 0.01 points, though Rahm has participated in fewer events this season.

Respectful Competition

This marks the first time McIlroy and Penge will compete in the same group as the top two players in the Race to Dubai standings. Both showed mutual respect when addressing the friendly rivalry.

"I don't know," Penge said when asked who would hit it farther. "Obviously I want to be past him and I'm sure he wants to be hitting it past me."

The lighthearted exchange underscores the competitive spirit that defines golf’s biggest hitters, promising an exciting contest between precision and power in Abu Dhabi.

Author’s Summary

McIlroy and Penge bring fierce yet friendly competition to Abu Dhabi, each eager to prove their distance superiority without losing sight of respect and performance.

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Golf Digest Golf Digest — 2025-11-05

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