Penge Takes Off at the Spanish Open, Rahm Deflates: Golf at Its Best

Marco Penge close to victory at the Spanish Open

English golfer Marco Penge is in a privileged position to win the Spanish Open, after a standout performance on Saturday. Penge achieved eight birdies during the day, while the hopes of local favorite Jon Rahm, of getting his fourth title, seem to fade. Penge reached a total of 16 under par in the tournament, after a round of 64 strokes (7 under par) on the third day. The leader from the previous night started with a bogey on the third hole, but then put together an impressive streak, achieving par on eight of ten holes, which allowed him to distance himself from the rest of the competitors.

Whatever the outcome, it will be a great experience, great memories for me. Tomorrow doesn’t define anything. It’s just another day, an 18-hole golf round.

Marco Penge

Joel Girrbach, from Switzerland, Penge’s playing partner, is 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 an epic comeback on Sunday, after a round of 71 strokes that included a double bogey. He is 12 strokes away 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. Penge, 27 years old, broke his wedge when he got stuck behind a tree on the second hole.

I knew it was going to break. I chose a stick that I didn’t think I would need for the rest of the way, I just made sure not to hit my hand against the tree.

Marco Penge

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