MADRID – Marco Penge defeated fellow Englishman Daniel Brown in a playoff to win the Spanish Open on Sunday and qualify for next year’s Masters and Open.
Penge gave up a four-shot lead but birdied the first postseason hole for his third European Tour title of the year.
“Dan and Joel [Girrbach] Played great today. They were making putts and I couldn’t really make the putt. It felt like I was really battling,” Penge said. “But I felt like I managed it pretty well, and I actually thought from tee to green, I felt like I played pretty solid. The putt doesn’t matter; I think I used them all yesterday, but apparently that one was worth the wait. “
For the first time, a national championship provides the winner with automatic qualification into the Masters and Open tournaments.
“It’s crazy,” Penge said of playing in the Masters. “This is a golf course I’ve always wanted to play because I feel like my game setup is perfect for it.”
Penge shot a 1-over 72 on Sunday to tie Brown at 15 under for the championship.
Brown, who turns 31 on Saturday, started five shots behind but took the lead after a final-round 67, 4 under. This was despite a right shoulder ailment that required treatment on the back nine. He birdied the final hole to force a playoff.
The 27-year-old Penger also won the Danish Golf Championship and the Hainan Classic.
Girrbach (69) started four shots behind. The Swiss player finished third in the championship at 14 under.
Home favorite Jon Rahm, who is seeking a record fourth Spanish Open title, was not in contention at the start of the final round but ended up tied for ninth with a 6-under 65.
Shane Lowry, like Rahm, returned after helping Europe win the Ryder Cup in New York last month, but he did not make the cut in the Spanish capital with Club Campovilla in Madrid.
