English golfer Marco Penge has been banned by the DP World Tour for placing bets on multiple events.

However, the tour said the 26-year-old did not bet on himself or tournaments he was participating in.

It led the tour’s disciplinary panel to find the integrity of the events which Penge bet on “had not been compromised”.

Penge, who has just completed his first full year on the European-based tour, has received a three-month ban – with one month suspended for a year.

He was also fined £2,000.

Penge retained his DP World Tour status at the final regular event of last season – after a nervy week at the Genesis Championship in South Korea.

Knowing he needed a decent finish to secure his playing privileges, Penge sunk a five-foot putt to make the weekend cut and went on to finish 22nd.

It brought enough points to finish 110th in the seasonal standings, meaning he retained his card with just four places to spare.

Penge began his suspension on 13 December, meaning he can return to action from mid-February.