Marco Penge Claims Spanish Open in Playoff to Secure Third European Tour Title of the Season

England’s Marco Penge held his nerve to capture his third European Tour title of the year with a dramatic playoff victory over compatriot Daniel Brown at the Spanish Open in Madrid on Sunday.

Penge clinched the win on the first sudden-death hole, after Brown produced a superb comeback from five shots behind heading into the final round.

“It felt like I was really up against it, but I feel like I managed myself really well and stayed solid,” said world No. 55 Penge. “I felt good. I was just trying to stick to the same stuff I’ve been doing for the last six months.”

The 27-year-old, who has already lifted trophies at the Hainan Classic and the Danish Golf Championship this season, endured a difficult front nine on Sunday, carding two over par to open the door for playing partners Brown and Switzerland’s Joel Girrbach.

A birdie on the 12th hole helped steady his round, but Brown — ranked 102nd — forced extra holes with a birdie on the 18th, a short par four.

In the playoff, Penge kept his composure to birdie the same hole and seal a hard-fought victory, with Girrbach finishing third on 14-under, one shot shy of the playoff.

Home favourite and three-time champion Jon Rahm delighted the Spanish crowd with a closing 65 to finish in a tie for ninth.