Marco Penge was delighted to compete with the world's very best following his runner-up finish at the Genesis Scottish Open.
The 27-year-old is enjoying a stellar 2025 campaign, which started with an enforced absence from the game due to a breach of DP World Tour regulations before claiming his first win at the Hainan Classic in April.
A top 30 finish at the US PGA Championship has boosted his confidence even further, with a share of 11th at last week's BMW International Open being followed by a superb display at the Renaissance Club.
Penge finished alongside World Number Two Rory McIlroy with his 13-under-par total, two shots behind winner Chris Gotterup, something he described as "a bit wild".
"It's been unbelievable, really," Penge said. "I wasn't in this event at the start of the year, and I really wanted to be here.
"A lot of my close pals are exempt to play, so it was a goal of mine when I first come back from the break.
"To finish whatever I finished: second, third, just to play the way I played under pressure.
"I looked at the leaderboard when I was on the course and the names in that top ten, and you see my name, it's like a bit wild. I've loved every minute of it.
"I'm sure I will eventually come down from the wave, but ride it into next week and see what happens.
"I think after next week, a two-week break will do me a lot of good. I think my wife deserves a break from being kind of a single mum."
Penge also praised fellow Englishman and idol Matt Fitzpatrick for calming him down as the pair played together over the weekend.
"I played really well at the US PGA and my stats after that week give me so much confidence being number one tee-to-green," he added.
"And the way I've been playing, I know that I can compete with these guys. But you know, even today, kind of under that pressure, it still is a little bit of an unknown.
"Played with Matt Fitzpatrick last two days and I just said to him, he really settled me down yesterday, and he's a real great sort and someone I idolise. He helped a lot. Thanks to him."
