Penge Leads the Spanish Open: Rahm Deflates in Madrid

Marco Penge close to victory at the Spanish Open, Jon Rahm falls behind

English golfer Marco Penge is in a privileged position to win the Spanish Open, thanks to an outstanding performance on Saturday where he achieved eight birdies. On the other hand, the hopes of local favorite Jon Rahm, of getting his fourth title, vanished. Penge reached a cumulative score of 16 under par in the tournament, after completing the third round with a card of 64 strokes, seven under par. Despite a bogey on the third hole, the leader of the initial day starred in an impressive streak, managing to be under par in eight of ten holes, which allowed him to distance himself from his competitors.

Whatever the outcome, it will be a great experience and will leave me with great memories. Sunday won’t define anything. It’s just another day, an 18-hole round of golf.

Marco Penge

Joel Girrbach, from Switzerland, who played alongside Penge, remains his main competitor, four strokes behind. Daniel Brown and Patrick Reed are five strokes behind, followed by Tom McKibbin, who is six behind. Rahm will need a spectacular comeback on Sunday, after a round of 71 strokes that included a double bogey. He is 12 strokes behind and 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. During the second hole, Penge suffered the breakage of his wedge after getting behind a tree.

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

Penge, who started the day with a one-stroke lead, will seek his third victory on the professional circuit, after his wins at the Danish Golf Championship and the Hainan Classic this year.