The Spanish Open was full of dramatic twists and clutch moments. While Spanish legend Jon Rahm struggled at home, the winner, Marco Penge, posted a dominant win following a decisive playoff round. That clutch win came against rival Dan Brown, who had surged on the final round. However, as much as the win itself left jaws hanging, Penge’s post-win message is what truly captured fans’ hearts.

Clinching his third DP World Tour title, all in one year, the Spanish Open has a special place in Marco Penge‘s heart. Shortly after his win, Penge posted pictures of himself with the trophy and a champagne celebration. However, the highlight of his message was the way he addressed his Brown, his playoff opponent.

“It was a shame there could only be one winner, but you @danbrown212 pushed me all the way, and you should be extremely proud because you’re a class player and an even better person! 💙” Penge wrote, recognizing Dan Brown‘s relentless efforts despite battling a neck injury.

Not only did Brown keep the thrill of the tournament alive with his final round resurgence, shooting 67, but he also pushed Penge to bring his A-game as he clinched the clutch victory. Showcasing sportsmanship and camaraderie beyond competition, the English golfer shared an example of what rivalries should look like.

Marco Penge showed true class at the Spanish Open, holding a 54-hole lead, his first time doing so. Posting rounds of 66-67-64, he entered the final round at 16-under. However, on the Sunday round, Penge’s game took one of the most brutal turns, translating into bogeys. He finished 1-over 72. Despite this dip, Penge’s dominance up-front kept him well in contention as Brown edged closer to Penge.

Penge’s playoff contender, Dan Brown, broke through the ranks with an impressive final-round 4-under 67. Draining birdies on holes 13, 15, and 18, Penge’s rival forced the playoffs. That showcased his resilience and determined personality, who received treatment for his neck injury before sweeping through the fields on Sunday. Despite the close call, Penge ended up finding a birdie on the first playoff hole to seal the victory.

“I was getting a little frustrated at times, but I was reminding myself I was so patient the first three rounds, and that’s the reason I played the way I did,” Penge later shared with the media.

This win has shot the English golfer up the world rankings to No. 31. Moreover, he sits right behind Rory McIlroy in the Race to Dubai rankings. Expressing his gratitude for the win, Penge wrote, “To have won the Spanish Open means a lot to me, and I can’t thank everyone enough for your support. The course, the food, and the crowd were perfect. Thank you to my Sponsors, Team, Friends, and family for being on the ride.”

However, the implications of the Spanish Open victory go beyond yet another DP World Tour title. Earning him invitations to the majors, this tournament has carved out roads to the top for Penge.

What’s next for Marco Penge?

The English golfer rose through the ranks quickly in his sophomore season. His first victory came earlier this year in April at the Hainan Classic. Fast forward to October, and Penge’s third win of the season has already earned him an invitation to the Masters. Moreover, Penge is also locked in for Royal Birkdale for the 2026 British Open.

The invitation to Augusta is a dream come true for Penge, who expressed his excitement in an Instagram post. The English golfer wrote, “This was my dream as a boy to be in the position i am in now! To think i will be playing the masters par 3 with my Son and wife by my side is unbelievable, I always said I won’t go to Augusta until I’m playing.”

Besides the majors scheduled in Penge’s 2026 season, he retains his European tour card for the 2026 season. In fact, Penge is will tee it up at Abu Dhabi in November for the Race to Dubai playoff. The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship marks the first event of the playoffs and promises significant Race to Dubai points, with a chance to secure the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.

Clearly, Penge’s remarkable 2025 DP World Tour run has already laid out the path to the elites of the sport. Whether he can leverage it to win his first major next year is the bigger question now.