It’s been a year of momentum for Marco Penge, and that momentum shows no sign of slowing down. The Team Mizuno player produced another composed and confident performance to capture his third DP World Tour victory of the season at the Open de España, held at Club de Campo Villa de Madrid.
From the opening round, Penge looked in complete control. Crisp ball-striking and steady putting set the tone early, as he built a lead with back-to-back rounds in the mid-60s. Saturday’s third round was a masterclass in composure – a 7-under 64 that showcased his trademark precision and calm under pressure.
The only casualty of his third round was Penge’s pitching wedge, that took the brunt of a collision with a tree on the second hole. “My ball was just behind the tree; I didn’t really have a follow through – I knew it was going to break!” He admitted in an on-course interview. “I made sure not to hit my hand on the tree and… yeah, poor pitching wedge.” Despite this unlucky break, Penge made up and down for a vital par.
Heading into Sunday with a four-shot advantage – and a new Mizuno Pro S3 pitching wedge – the final day brought new challenges. Playing partners Dan Brown and Joel Girrbach applied pressure throughout, with Brown closing the gap late to force a playoff. But when it mattered most, Penge delivered – unleashing a 194mph drive to the back of the green, applying a deft touch to the chip, and holing a clutch birdie putt on the first extra hole to seal a dramatic victory.
“It wasn’t straightforward out there today,” Penge said afterwards. “I knew the guys behind were going to make a run. I just tried to stay patient and trust my game – and thankfully, it was enough.”
The win cements what has already been a breakout year for the 27-year-old from Horsham, following earlier triumphs at the Hainan Classic and Danish Golf Championship. It sees him reach a new career best of 31st in the world ranking (416th at the end of 2024), seals his PGA TOUR card for the 2026 season and earns him coveted invitations to the 2026 Masters Tournament and The 154th Open Championship, marking another major step forward in his professional journey.
Marco Penge’s winning gear
- Driver: Mizuno ST-X 230 (9°)
- Mini Driver: TaylorMade BRNR Copper (13.5°)
- Utility Iron: Mizuno Pro Fli Hi (15°)
- Irons: Mizuno Pro S3 (4-PW)
- Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50°, 56°), Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks (60°)
- Putter: Scotty Cameron GOLO 6.2 Tour Prototype
- Ball: Titleist Pro V1