MADRID – Marco Penge is in a privileged position to win the Spanish Open, thanks to an outstanding performance on Saturday that included eight birdies. Meanwhile, local favorite Jon Rahm saw his aspirations of winning his fourth title, a record in the tournament, fade away. Penge, with an impressive performance, reached -16 in the tournament after a third round of 64 strokes, seven under par. The initial leader had a bogey on the third hole, but reacted strongly, managing to get under par on eight of ten holes, which allowed him to distance himself from the rest of the competitors.
Joel Girrbach, from Switzerland, Penge’s playing partner, remains the closest competitor, four strokes behind. Daniel Brown and Patrick Reed are five strokes behind, followed by Tom McKibbin, who is six behind. Rahm, for his part, will need a spectacular comeback on Sunday after a round of 71 strokes, which included a double bogey. He is 12 strokes away, tied for 28th place. The Ryder Cup winner seeks to surpass Seve Ballesteros as the most successful golfer in the tournament since the creation of the European circuit in 1972. A curious incident occurred on the second hole, when Penge broke his wedge after getting stuck behind a tree.Whatever the result, it will be a great experience, great memories for me. Sunday doesn’t define anything, it’s just another day, an 18-hole round of golf.
Marco Penge
Penge, who started the day with a one-stroke lead, will seek his third victory on the circuit, after his wins this year at the Danish Golf Championship and the Hainan Classic.I knew it was going to break. I chose a stick that I didn’t think I’d need for the rest of the way, I just made sure not to hit my hand against the tree.
Marco Penge
