Standing over a par putt to save his tour card, Marco Penge’s body was shaking. The pressure wasn’t just from the moment itself. He was also carrying the weight of a betting investigation and an undiagnosed condition that made every day feel like chaos. Six months later, everything changed with two words: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The 27-year-old English golfer opened up about his ADHD diagnosis during an appearance on the Life on Tour Podcast, which aired on October 15, 2025. The episode, filmed ahead of the BMW PGA Championship, featured Penge alongside hosts George Harper Jr. and John E. Morgan.

“I have ADHD which I found out during last year and you know time is not I’m useless with time. I forget everything,” Penge admitted on the podcast. His wife Sophie had warned the hosts about this trait beforehand. When Harper mentioned asking Sophie what annoys her most, her answer was simple: “He’s always forgetting something.”

Penge didn’t shy away from the truth. “I’m terrible. Honestly, I’m terrible. As far as I was here on time, you’re lucky,” he said.

The diagnosis came in June 2025, during what should have been the lowest point of his career. The DP World Tour had suspended him for three months after he placed small bets on golf majors and the Ryder Cup between 2022 and 2023. The average stake was just £24.

However, the suspension turned into an unexpected blessing. During those months away, Penge underwent a doctor’s assessment. That’s when he learned about his ADHD. The diagnosis explained so much about his struggles on tour.

“When you have ADHD, you overthink,” Penge explained. “And if I can have structure, that stop me from overthinking.” Without structure, his mind races constantly. “I really struggle to switch off. It’s always like need to get better, need to get better, need to do this, need to do that.”

Interestingly, the golf course provides his only mental refuge. “That’s the one time I feel at ease cuz like I don’t have outside noise,” he said. During rounds, he’s not thinking about where his wife is or whether his coach made it to the range. “I’m always thinking about everyone else,” he admitted.

This people-pleasing tendency nearly derailed his performance. His team finally intervened and told him to stop worrying about them. At the BMW PGA Championship, his coach offered to get balls for short game practice. Penge’s instinct was to refuse. Then he remembered their conversation. “Okay, okay. Like, can you go and get some balls?” he agreed.

The transformation after his diagnosis speaks for itself. Penge won three DP World Tour titles in 2025. He captured the Hainan Classic in April, the Danish Golf Championship in August, and the Open de España in October. That final victory earned him automatic qualification for the 2026 Masters and Open Championship. His world ranking jumped from 440th to 31st in just twelve months. His caddie Max Bill stood by him through the journey.

Golf’s growing conversation about ADHD and mental health

Penge’s openness reflects a broader shift happening across professional golf. Fellow English golfer Charley Hull revealed her “severe” ADHD diagnosis in July 2023. She’s described the condition as a “secret weapon” that helps her hyperfocus. Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson has also been public about having ADHD and anxiety.

Research shows ADHD affects 7-8% of elite athletes. That’s higher than the general population rate of 5-7%. Physical activity naturally increases dopamine in the brain. ADHD brains are deficient in dopamine. This explains why athletes with ADHD often find sports provide temporary symptom relief.

The DP World Tour launched the Mental Fitness Zone in January 2024. The facility features sleep pods, mindfulness spaces, and consultations with mental health professionals. Dr. Phil Hopley serves as the Mental Fitness Coach.

The tragic death of PGA Tour player Grayson Murray by suicide in May 2024 accelerated the conversation. Murray had been open about his struggles with anxiety, depression, and alcoholism. His parents established the Grayson Murray Foundation in January 2025.

For Penge, understanding his ADHD has become a competitive advantage. Structure keeps the overthinking at bay. His team manages the details. Most importantly, he has shown that proper diagnosis and support can transform a career from near collapse to major championship qualification.