Marco Penge mustered up the courage to win the race 2025 Spanish Open hosted by MadridA dramatic play-off win over Dan Brown on a tense final day that saw dramatic momentum swings, injury struggles and flashes of brilliance from all contenders.
Brown had a great performance in the final round 67despite repeated interruptions in his treatment Right shoulder and neckjoin Penge in 15 under par. Penge started the day with a four-shot lead and birdied the first extra hole to seal his position. Third DP World Tour title this seasonincreasing his presence in Hainan Classic April and danish golf championship August.
The victory also earned him a coveted spot in both races Open Championship and Masters next year.
“It was a real fight,” Penge said. “Dan and Joel played great today and they were holed putts and I just couldn’t really hole it and it felt like I was really fighting.
But I felt like I managed it pretty well, and I really thought from tee to green, I felt like I played pretty solid. The putt doesn’t matter, I think I used all my putts yesterday, but obviously that one was worth the wait. “
Brown’s courage and talent
Penge fell early, hitting his tee shot into the woods and making bogey. Brown seized on the moment, in stunning fashion 55-foot birdie putt The second time, roll it up and over the ridge from the left front edge.
“You didn’t expect the hole,” he said with characteristic understatement, before expending another long effort— 37-foot eagle putt Game 3 – Just one shot away from the lead.
Although a double bogey on the next hole ended his charge, Brown fought back with a birdie on the seventh, and Penge dropped a shot after finding an awkward lie next to a bunker.
Joel Girrbach, the third-placed player in the final group, also birdied the fourth, eighth, and ninth holes to enter the battle, joining the leaders in the battle. Under 14 years old Then give one back on the tenth time. “I just came here hoping to keep my card,” Gilbach admitted on Saturday — but by the end of the day, he had done much more than that.
Brown’s determination shines through the pain. he received treatment Tee No. 12 He then made a fantastic approach birdie on the 13th hole. Despite being clearly in discomfort, he added another birdie on the 15th hole and was a few minutes behind his teammates after receiving further medical attention.
All three players made birdies No. 16Gilbach hit a brilliant shot from 21 feet before making par on the 17th hole. Penge held a one-shot lead heading into the final match, but after Penge could only make par in the bunker, Brown birdied the fringe to force a playoff.
Gilbach birdies No. 18 Exactly third place And, more than just keeping his card, he’s guaranteed a spot in the tournament DP World Tour Playoffs.
decisive moment
return to No. 18 In the playoff, Brown’s tee shot stopped short of the green and Penge found the rough left. Both chipped in to leave themselves open to test birdie putts, with Penge calmly sinking in from ten feet to seal the title.
“I get a little frustrated at times, but I remind myself that I was very patient the first three rounds and that’s why I play, so I just try to keep the same mentality,” Penge said. “Thanks to the lads, they caught me incredibly and I’m so grateful that I came out the winner.”
Directions to Augusta
Looking ahead to Augusta, he added: “It’s crazy. It’s a golf course I’ve always wanted to play because I feel like my game is so well suited to it. My goal is to be in the top 50 in the world by the end of the year. I think it makes it a little easier to play in the play-offs because I know if I don’t win, I’m still going to play the Masters. I’m trying to do some reverse psychology there, but no, I’m looking forward to it.”
final ranking
Completed by Tom McKibbin 4th under 12 Birdied the last hole and shot 69. Joakim Lagergren, Jayden Schaper, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen and Ugo Coussaud tied for fifth place Under 11 years old.
A local favorite Jon Rahm Sign with a talented person 65ends with Under 10 years oldon par with Ángel Ayora, David Puig and Alex Fitzpatrick. fitzpatrick, who created 13 straight bars He followed that up with an eagle from a bunker on No. 14 and a birdie on No. 16 for a 68 that bolstered his hopes of retaining his tour status next season.
