Marco Penge loves "being in the position to win" as he sits in the chasing pack during his bid for a maiden Rolex Series victory at the Genesis Scottish Open.
The 27-year-old is enjoying the best season of his career in a campaign which almost did not happen at all, if it was not for a nerveless birdie putt in South Korea last October.
Penge went through all the emotions as he needed a birdie at the last in the Genesis Championship at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea to make the cut line and save his playing rights for 2025.
An enforced absence from the game due to a breach of DP World Tour regulations stalled his momentum at the start of the year, but it has been upwards from then on.
His first DP World Tour title at the Hainan Classic came in April, followed by his US PGA Championship debut in May and now he sits in a share for third after third round of 69 at Renaissance Club, two shots behind leaders Rory McIlroy and Chris Gotterup at nine under.
"I didn't have my game today, but it felt like it was really hard because I was having to grind it out. But I did a pretty good job of that, and yeah, I'm looking forward to tomorrow," the World Number 170 said.
"I've been playing really well for the last five months. So my scoring average is in a really good place.
"It's been one of my main focuses and I've had days like today along the road recently. So tidy up on the range for ten minutes and should be fine."
He added: "I love being in the position to win. I feel like I've had a lot of experience in my younger days as a junior and amateur and feel like you don't really lose that.
"Whether it's in a junior comp, an amateur comp, DP World Tour or a Major, I feel like you need that bit of grit. I feel like I was kind of born with it a little bit.
"I really cherish the moments when I'm in position to win. It doesn't happen that often where you actually win, but to be in the positions to win, you can gain so much experience from it.
"So whatever happens tomorrow will be really good for me as a professional, and I'm just enjoying every minute of playing against the best players in the world."
