Penge Conquers the Spanish Open: Masters and The Open Secured!

Marco Penge Wins the Spanish Open and Secures a Place in the Masters

English golfer Marco Penge won the Spanish Open, beating his compatriot Daniel Brown in an exciting playoff. This victory earns him a place in the prestigious Masters and the Open Championship next year. Penge, despite squandering a four-stroke lead, showed his mettle by achieving a birdie on the first playoff hole, securing his third European Tour title so far this year.

“Dan and Joel Girrbach played really well today. They were sinking putts and I couldn’t get it in the hole. I felt like I was really up against it,” Penge commented. “But I think I handled myself really well, and from tee to green, I think I played really solid. Never mind the putts; I think I used them all yesterday, but obviously sinking that one was worth the wait.”

Marco Penge

This edition of the national tournament offered the winner an automatic spot in the Masters and The Open for the first time.

“It’s crazy,” Penge said about the possibility of playing in the Masters. “It’s a golf course I’ve always wanted to play, because I feel like my game suits it very well.”

Marco Penge

Penge, who signed a card of 72 strokes (+1) on Sunday, finished tied with Brown at -15 for the tournament. Brown, who celebrated his 31st birthday on Saturday, started the day five strokes back, but rallied with a final round of 67 (-4). Despite dealing with discomfort in his right shoulder that required treatment during the second part of the round, he forced a playoff with a birdie on the final hole. Penge, 27 years old, was also crowned champion at the Danish Golf Championship and the Hainan Classic. Girrbach (69 strokes) started the day four strokes behind. The Swiss player finished third in the tournament with -14. The local favorite, Jon Rahm, who was seeking his fourth title at the Spanish Open, was not in contention at the start of the final round, but closed with a card of 65 (-6) to finish tied for ninth position. Shane Lowry, who, like Rahm, was returning to action after helping Europe win the Ryder Cup last month, did not make the cut at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.