Playoff thriller in Madrid: Marco Penge wins third DP World Tour title

After a dramatic final at the Spanish Open in Madrid, DP World Tour player Marco Penge has not only secured his third title of the season, but also two of the most coveted starting places in golf: automatic qualification for the Masters and the Open Championship next year. The Englishman defeated his compatriot Daniel Brown in a play-off on the first play-off hole.

Third victory on the DP World Tour

Penge started the final round at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid with a comfortable four-shot lead over his nearest rival, Switzerland's Joel Girrbach. But Sunday's round turned out to be a real test of patience for the long-time leader. Penge, who had performed brilliantly in the first three rounds, struggled on the way to the clubhouse and had to sign for a round of 72 (+1).

At the same time, his compatriot Daniel Brown, who was five strokes behind, started an impressive comeback. Despite repeated medical treatment for his shoulder and neck problems, Brown played a brilliant round of 67 (-4). The drama culminated on the 18th hole when Brown forced the tie at 15 under Par with a Birdie Putt. Swiss player Joel Girrbach, the third member of the final group, also held on to the lead for a long time. In the end, with a total score of 14 under Par, he was just one stroke short of also making the play-off.

See the complete leaderboard of the Spanish Open of the DP World Tour here.

The redeeming Putt: Penge defeats Brown in the play-off

In the direct duel on the first play-off hole, the 18th hole, Marco Penge took a deep breath. After both players had hit their tee shots, it was Putter who finally decided the situation with a short Birdie putt. The visibly relieved champion reflected on the turbulent 18 holes:

"Dan and Joel [Girrbach] played great today, they sank their putts and I just didn't manage to get the ball in the hole. It felt like I was really fighting against myself. But I felt like I was in good control and I actually think I played really solid from tee to green. The putts don't matter, I think I used them all up yesterday, but obviously it was worth waiting for that one there."

Masters dream comes true

The triumph in Madrid not only marks Penge's third DP World Tour title of the season, but above all the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream. He benefits from the new rule that gives the winner of the national tournament automatic entry rights to the Masters and the Open Championship.

Penge said of his upcoming participation in the tournament in Augusta: "It's crazy. It's a golf course I've always wanted to play because I feel like my game is very well suited to it."

Swiss success and German results

While Penge accepted the winner's cheque, Joel Girrbach also celebrated an important success. Third place is the best result of his career so far on the DP World Tour. It not only secures him a Tour card for next year, but also catapults him to 60th place in the Race to Dubai, giving him an excellent chance of qualifying for the final DP World Tour Players of the top 70 players.

Local hero and three-time title winner Jon Rahm played a strong final round of 65, but missed out on the top spot and finished the tournament in a tie for ninth place (T9).

The German players in the field achieved the following placings:

• Marcel Schneider finished in a tie for 39th place (T39).
• Marcel Siem and Yannik Paul finished the tournament one shot behind Schneider in a shared 46th place (T46).

The highlights of the DP World Tour in the video