Marco Penge surged into the lead at the Spanish Open on Saturday, reeling off eight birdies in a blistering third round in Madrid, while home favorite Jon Rahm struggled to find form and slipped down the leaderboard.
Penge extends lead with aggressive play on par fives and clear game plan to protect advantage
reporting from the tournament trail,Penge’s aggressive handling of par fives produced a measured advantage that coaches can translate into teachable moments for all levels. Observing how Penge extended his margin-drawing on the same competitive clarity seen when Penge builds Spanish Open lead as Rahm fades-highlights a disciplined approach to target selection and risk management. Begin with a pre-round yardage plan: mark the carry distances to hazards and safe landing corridors, and decide whether to attack or lay up based on wind, firmness and your agreeable carry distance (for many amateur drivers, that is 180-260 yards; for stronger players it can be 260-320 yards). Practical setup checkpoints include:
- Alignment stick use: aim the trail shoulder and clubface to the chosen target line during warm-up.
- Club selection rule: if the carry to clear a hazard exceeds your confident distance by more than 10%,plan a lay-up to a preferred wedge distance.
- lay-up yardage: choose to leave 80-120 yards into the green to maximize wedge control and birdie probability.
Thes clear, measurable planning steps convert tournament-level strategy into an actionable course-management blueprint.
Technically, aggressive par-five play demands repeatable swing mechanics that balance distance and dispersion. Coaches should focus on three measurable impact elements: attack angle, clubhead speed and face-to-path relationship. For example, aiming for a slightly upward driver attack angle of around +2° to +4° can increase launch and lower spin, while reducing side spin that leads to misses. to practice this, try these drills:
- Impact bag drill: hit short swings into an impact bag to feel a square face and forward shaft lean at contact.
- Path/face alignment rod drill: place a rod along your toe line and swing along it to encourage an inside-out path for a controlled draw, or slightly across for a fade.
- Speed control sets: measure clubhead speed with a launch monitor and set weekly goals (e.g., increase by 2-4 mph over 8 weeks) while maintaining dispersion within a 30-yard radius at your typical driver distance.
For equipment,check that the driver loft and shaft flex match your swing: higher loft (10.5°-12°) helps slower swingers get optimal launch; lower loft (8.5°-10°) suits high-speed players. Small, explained adjustments-such as opening the stance slightly for a fade or closing it for a draw-allow golfers to shape shots like Penge without compromising control.
Once in position,short-game precision protects leads. Penge’s strategy combined aggressive tee play with conservative wedge execution and smart putting-an approach that instructors should emulate. Emphasize landing-zone control: aim to land wedges on the front third of the green to hold firm surfaces, and practice the following routines:
- Ladder wedge drill: hit 5 shots to progressively shorter distances (e.g., 120, 110, 100, 90, 80 yards) focusing on consistent swing length and landing within a 10-yard box around each target.
- Clock-putt drill: from 3, 6, 9 and 12 feet practice holing straight putts to improve short-range conversion and reduce three-putts to below 5% of attempts.
- Lag-putt rehearsal: simulate uphill/downhill distances of 20-40 feet to leave the ball inside a three-foot circle.
Common mistakes-too much wrist at impact on chips (leading to thin shots), or trying to be too heroic from 100+ yards-can be corrected by simplifying to a stroke-length target and rehearsing landing spots. In the Spanish Open scenario, Penge’s ability to convert mid-range approaches into two-putt pars while Rahm struggled on the greens shows how short-game control preserves a lead under pressure.
protecting an advantage is as much mental and tactical as it is technical. Implement a decision framework that quantifies risk: estimate the probability of success (for example, a 35% chance to reach the green in two vs a 70% chance to hit a wedge to 15 feet from a conservative lay-up) and choose the option with the better expected score. Use these practice and mental routines:
- Scenario practice: play practice holes where you must choose between going for broke or laying up; keep score and analyze which choices produce the lowest average score over 18 holes.
- Pre-shot routine: include a 5-7 second visualisation,a deep breath,and a swing-feel cue to reduce tension under pressure.
- Whether checks: rehearse club selection adjustments for wind (add/subtract 1 club per 10-15 mph of headwind/tailwind) and firm/soft fairways.
For beginners, adopt conservative percentages and practice fundamentals; for low handicappers, rehearse shaping the ball and decision-making under tournament-like stress. In every tier, pairing technical drills with a clear tactical plan-exactly what Penge demonstrated while extending his lead-creates repeatable, score-lowering behavior on par fives and throughout the course.
Short game precision proves decisive as Penge converts key saves; recommended chipping drills for contenders
In the closing holes where short game precision decided position, Penge builds Spanish Open lead as Rahm fades provides a clear case study: conservative, repeatable technique under pressure beat a riskier shot selection. Start with a fundamentals-first setup: feet shoulder-width apart, ball positioned slightly back of centre for chip-and-run or just forward of center for higher pitches, and weight distribution of roughly 55-60% on the front foot. Address the ball with a slightly open stance when you want more loft, hinge the wrists to create a controlled arc, and maintain 1-2 inches of forward shaft lean at address so the club’s leading edge contacts the turf before the ball. In addition, prioritize a compact stroke where the low point is just ahead of the ball; a practical way to check this is to place a tee about 1-2 inches in front of the ball during practice – if you hit the tee before the ball you have the correct low-point control.
To build repeatability across skill levels, use targeted drills and measurable practice goals. For beginners, focus on clean contact and distance control; for low handicappers, refine spin and trajectory control. Recommended routine (30-40 minutes): warm up with 10 soft chip-and-runs from 10-20 yards, then do two accuracy sets from 25 and 40 yards aiming at a single landing spot. Specific drills include:
- Coin drill: place a coin 1-2 inches behind the ball to encourage forward low point and crisp first-contact;
- Landing-spot drill: put a towel or coin at your intended landing spot and strike 20 balls trying to hit it exactly, alternating clubs (PW, 50°, 54°, 60°) to learn carry-to-roll ratios;
- Gate drill: set two tees to create a narrow path for the clubhead to pass through to eliminate an inside-out or outside-in path and promote a square face at impact.
Set measurable goals such as hitting the landing spot 70% of the time from 25 yards within four weeks and tracking up-and-down percentage weekly to see progress.
Course management and green-reading tie technique to scoring: when Penge chose a conservative chip to save par instead of an aggressive flop, he prioritized percentage play and knew the green speed and grain would favor a bump-and-run. Read the green by walking the slope from different angles and note the grain direction – grass grain can change putt speed by 1-2 strokes across 20-30 feet on coastal links-style greens. Choose landing spots that take slopes into account: as a rule of thumb, for firmer conditions plan for ~75% roll / 25% carry (chip-and-run), while for soft, receptive greens use ~40-60% roll / 60-40% carry for lofted pitches. In match- or stroke-play, consider the Rules of Golf: if your ball is embedded or in casual water, take relief as permitted, but do not improve your line of play – this should influence whether you play safe to the middle of the green or go for the flag.
Troubleshoot common errors and develop a progressive practice schedule that includes mental planning. Typical mistakes are deceleration through impact, flipping the wrists (early release), and poor club selection; correct these by emphasizing a controlled forward acceleration and maintaining wrist angle longer through impact. Use these troubleshooting checkpoints:
- Tempo check: count ”one-two” tempo where the backswing is one and the forward swing is two to avoid deceleration;
- Impact monitor: record short sessions with your phone to verify forward shaft lean and a low-point ahead of the ball;
- Club selection chart: create a simple table for your course – e.g., 50° for 20-35 yd pitch, 54° for 30-45 yd, 60° for 40-60 yd flop – and adjust for wind and firmness.
connect the technical work to your mental game: practice pressure simulations (make three successful chips in a row to “win” a point) and track strokes gained: around the green or up-and-down percentage to measure improvement. For players with physical limits, alternate to a putting-style chip or use more roll-focused shots; for advanced players, refine contact and spin control with grooves and launch monitor feedback. In sum, integrating disciplined setup, deliberate drills, and course-situation strategy – as demonstrated in Penge’s decisive saves – produces the measurable gains that lower scores.
Consistent iron play gives Penge edge while Rahm misfires; strategic club selection advised on firm greens
Penge’s edge in Spain has been built on consistent,repeatable iron contact-a trait that separates journeyman rounds from tournament-winning golf-while Rahm’s faded form has exposed the penalty for erratic approach play. In technical terms, tour-quality iron shots require a slightly descending attack angle (approximately -2° to -4° on mid‑irons), centered contact on the clubface and a controlled amount of shaft lean (roughly 2°-4°) at impact to compress the ball and create predictable spin and launch. For players of all levels, check your setup first: ball position one ball left of center for a 7‑iron, a narrow-to-medium stance, and a slight forward press of the hands to encourage that forward shaft lean. Moreover, when diagnosing a player who “misfires,” look for common faults such as early extension, casting (loss of wrist angle), or reverse pivot-each of which erodes compression and causes inconsistent distance and direction.
To translate those fundamentals into measurable improvement, implement a practice plan that isolates contact, trajectory and dispersion. Start with short, repeatable drills that emphasize impact quality and feedback:
- Impact bag drill-make 8-10 controlled swings focusing on a forward shaft lean and a compressing sensation; goal: 8/10 swings with the bag moving slightly forward from the strike.
- Towel-under-armpit drill-3 sets of 10 to promote connectedness and prevent casting; goal: maintain the towel for 9/10 swings.
- Gate drill with alignment sticks-place sticks to chal lenge toe/heel contact and promote centered strikes; record percentage of pure strikes per session.
Set tangible targets: hit 70-80% of 30 practice shots within a 10‑yard window for mid‑irons, and track Greens in Regulation (GIR) improvement week‑to‑week. For beginners, simplify goals to consistent contact and ball flight; for low handicappers, quantify spin rates and carry distances using a launch monitor to close yardage gaps.
Course strategy on firm greens is the decisive link between Penge’s lead and Rahm’s struggles; firm surfaces reduce wedge bite and increase rollout, so club selection and landing zone strategy must adapt. When Stimp readings push above 10-12 ft, expect added rollout: take one more club than usual for shots to a front‑to‑mid green and aim for a higher landing zone if you need the ball to stop quickly. Conversely, use a bump‑and‑run when pins are on the low side of firm greens or when wind favors a lower trajectory. In practice, learn to predict carry vs.roll by measuring a full wedge carry and then observing rollout: a well‑struck 56° might carry 70 yards and roll 10-25 yards depending on firmness-use those numbers to plan pinside strategies. Additionally,when defending rather than attacking,aim for the center of the green or the side with more room for error; Penge’s conservative targeting on firm surfaces left him with 8-12 foot birdie opportunities,whereas Rahm’s aggressive pin hunts produced short misses and difficult up‑and‑downs.
integrate short‑game refinement and mental routines to convert the iron play advantage into lower scores. On firm lies, wedge technique emphasizes clean leading‑edge contact and using the bounce appropriately: play the ball slightly back in your stance for tighter lies and use a slightly shallower shaft angle to avoid digging. practice drills that bridge the approach and the green include a 50‑ball wedge routine with distance bands (targeting ±5 yards accuracy) and a putting conversion drill to convert at least 60-70% of 6-12 footers. For different learning styles and abilities, offer alternatives: beginners should master the bump‑and‑run and basic distance control, intermediates should train trajectory shaping and club‑selection on firm greens, and low handicappers should refine spin control and yardage gaps with loft‑tracking. Lastly, cultivate a decisive pre‑shot routine-assessing wind, firmness, pin position and preferred bailout-and commit to the plan; as Penge demonstrated, mental clarity plus technically sound iron play is a repeatable formula for building and protecting a lead.
Mental toughness shapes leaderboard shifts; sports psychology tactics recommended for closing rounds
When tournament pressure compresses the leaderboard, the cognitive edge frequently enough determines who closes and who falters. Observers noted this dynamic as Penge built his spanish Open lead while Rahm faded, and the lesson is clear: mental toughness directly affects decision-making and execution on closing holes. Start with a pre-shot routine that is simple, repeatable, and timed – for example, a two-breath breathing reset, visualizing the intended shot shape for 6-8 seconds, then a single practice swing. This routine reduces adrenaline-driven tension and helps maintain tempo; it should be rehearsed until automatic. For players of all levels, set measurable mental goals: reduce shot-doubt incidents by tracking choices (target vs. safe) and aim for at least a 75% adherence to your plan during final nine holes. In pressurized scenarios, prefer conservative target selection (e.g., aim 10-15 yards away from water) and use controlled swing length to manage risk without neutralizing scoring opportunities.
Next, translate composure into reliable ball striking by refining fundamental setup and swing mechanics under stress. Begin with setup checkpoints:
- Stance width: shoulder-width for irons, ~1.5× shoulder-width for driver;
- Ball position: center for short irons, 1 ball left of center for mid-irons, forward inside left heel for driver;
- Spine tilt: maintain ~20° away from target at address to promote a descending strike on irons.
From there, focus on a pressure-proof swing sequence: maintain a smooth takeaway for the first 50% of the backswing tempo, achieve a 90° shoulder turn on full swings, and rehearse a controlled impact position with 5-8° of forward shaft lean on irons to compress the ball and control launch. Common mistakes include casting the club early and lifting the head at impact; correct these with a drill: place an alignment stick 6 inches behind the ball and practice hitting shots while keeping the stick contact-free – this enforces post-impact forward shaft lean and balance. As you practice, record the percentage of solid strikes per 50-ball session; aim to increase that number by 10-15% over 8 weeks.
Short game under the closing-round microscope separates pars from bogeys, so blend technique with course-reading intelligence. For greenside chips and pitches, use two reliable templates: a low-trajectory bump-and-run with a 7-8° lofted club (e.g., 7-iron or 8-iron) and a higher 45-60 yard wedge pitch using a 56°-60° sand wedge with a three-quarter swing. Practice these with purpose using drills:
- 50-ball proximity drill – land 10 balls to within 10 feet from three different edges;
- clock-face greenside drill – chip to pins on a 3-, 6-, and 9- o’clock basis to learn release and spin;
- double-line putting drill – use two lines to practice alignment and stroke path for 10 minutes daily.
Additionally, improve green reading by noting grain direction, slope percentage, and wind effect: for example, a 3% grade over 20 yards will move a putt roughly 6-8 inches per 5 mph of crosswind; factor that into your aim and speed.For beginners, emphasize consistent contact and distance control; for low handicappers, focus on manipulating spin and landing spot to attack pins in closing holes.
combine mental strategy with tactical course management and equipment choices to close effectively. Start by mapping each hole with a risk-reward profile and enforce a closing-round rule: attempt high-risk shots only when the upside exceeds the downside by at least two strokes. Equipment factors matter - such as, using a driver with a neutral to slightly closed clubface (-1°) can reduce a right-to-left miss in a left-to-right closing wind. Practice routines should be structured and measurable:
- Daily 45-60 minute short-game sessions (30 minutes chipping/pitches, 15 minutes putting);
- Twice-weekly 90-minute full-swing sessions focusing on specific yardages (e.g., 150 yd, 175 yd, 200 yd) with launch monitor targets;
- Weekly pressure simulation - play the final three holes of your home course at par or better three times under simulated tournament conditions.
Troubleshoot typical closing mistakes – rushing putts, overthrowing wedges, and abandoning pre-shot routines – by rehearsing the correction until it is automatic. By integrating these technical drills, setup fundamentals, and course-management rules with the psychological routines described earlier, golfers can convert composure into measurable improvements in GIR, scrambling percentage, and a decreased closing-round scoring average.
Course setup and pin positions favour risk reward tactics; caddies urged to refine yardage and pin-reading
Course set-ups that reward aggressive lines force players and caddies to sharpen yardage work and pin-reading skills; recent competitive play provides clear lessons. As Penge builds a Spanish Open lead while Rahm fades, observers note that the pair’s caddies were decisive in translating course morphology into concrete numbers – using front/middle/back green yardages and factoring in wind, firmness, and slope before each tee shot. Start with a simple, repeatable process: (1) record the distance to the front edge of the green, the centre, and the back; (2) identify the pin offset in yards (e.g.,pin 8 yards left of centre); and (3) adjust for wind and firmness with a baseline of +/- 1 club per 10-15 mph wind or +1/2 club for soft conditions. By following this sequence, golfers from beginners to low handicappers can convert course reconnaissance into a strategic playing chart that clarifies whether to attack a tucked pin or play to a bail-out zone.
execution depends on shot-shaping fundamentals and reproducible setup. For a controlled draw or fade,align feet and shoulders to the intended path while setting the clubface to the desired shape: for a mild fade,open the face ~2-4 degrees relative to the swing path; for a controlled draw,close it by a similar amount.Step-by-step: (a) establish a neutral grip and set the ball position one ball back for draws or one forward for fades; (b) feel a swing path that follows the foot alignment; and (c) rehearse tempo with half-swings until you hit a 10-shot string within a 10-15 yard dispersion. practice drills include:
- alignment-stick gate drill to ingrain swing path;
- impact-bag or towel drills to promote compressing the ball for consistent spin;
- 10-ball shape challenge: pick a target 150 yards away and hit 10 balls aiming to keep dispersion within a 20-yard circle.
These drills produce measurable outcomes – record dispersion and club choice – and give coaches objective data to refine instruction across skill levels.
Short game and green management convert tactical choices into lower scores. When the pin is aggressive, opt for a bump-and-run or low spinner from tight lies to minimize slope influence; for pins on the back tier, prefer trajectory that checks (higher-lofted wedges) and practice landing-spot accuracy to within 3-5 yards. For putting, combine stimp awareness with line-reading: stand behind the ball, walk the fall-line to the hole, then pick a reference on the collar to aim for; on a moderate green speed (Stimp 10-11), a 20-foot putt will typically break noticeably more than one at 8-9 Stimp – therefore adjust aim by a few inches depending on speed. Troubleshooting steps:
- if you miss short consistently, lengthen your backstroke by 10-20% during practice;
- if you miss high on the green, check loft and ball contact to reduce spin;
- if reads are inconsistent, practice the head-behind-the-ball routine and use a pre-putt visual of the path.
This approach ties technical wedge and putting work directly to scoring opportunities and helps players choose whether to attack a risky pin.
course management and mental discipline determine whether risk-reward pays off. Caddies should maintain a dynamic yardage book and verify key yardages on the practice ground – mark reliable bail-out targets and note prevailing winds at tee height and around greens. Before each shot, use a two-step decision rule: (1) identify the primary target area in yards and left/right offset; (2) decide the acceptable miss (e.g., right side of the green, 8-12 yards short) that produces the best scoring chance. practice routines to replicate these pressures include simulated-rounds where players must choose between a 15% risk shot for birdie or a conservative play for par, tracking outcomes over 18 holes. Moreover, integrate physical and visual learning styles by combining video swing feedback, on-course repetition, and caddie-player verbal cues. Ultimately, marrying precise yardage work with dependable swing mechanics and short-game calibration turns course setup into an advantage rather than a trap – a lesson underscored by Penge’s steady management at the Spanish Open as Rahm’s aggressive attempts backfired under changing pin placements.
Rahm’s fading form traced to swing timing issues; targeted practice regimen to restore distance and accuracy
Coaches monitoring the recent form slide identify a common root: disrupted swing timing that translates into early casts, loss of lag and inconsistent impact. Observable signs include a measurable drop in carry distance, increased side spin and a larger dispersion pattern off the tee; for example a driver carry loss of 5-15 yards or a rise in lateral dispersion beyond 15 yards from the target ring are clear diagnostics. To begin remediation, return to fundamentals at address: maintain a balanced base with 50-55% weight on the trail foot for a driver and a neutral spine angle of about 20-30°
Once the setup is consistent, implement timing drills that rebuild a reliable sequence from ground to clubhead. Start with a metronome or audible count to establish a consistent backswing:downswing ratio-use a 3:1 tempo (three ticks on the takeaway, one through impact) and progress to live balls. Follow with an impact-bag routine to feel compression and avoid early release, then layer in the full swing. Practice prescriptions include: Set measurable goals: achieve solid center strikes on 80% of range shots within two weeks and reduce dispersion to within 10 yards for irons during simulated rounds. Turning to the short game and course strategy, timing problems often magnify around the green where speed control is paramount.Practice structured “ladder” distance control for wedges-land shots on targets every 5 yards from 30-100 yards to build a reliable touch-and use the clock-face putting drill for consistent release through the stroke. On-course request is illustrated by how Penge built a Spanish Open lead by dialing conservative approaches into the center of the green in wind, while a rival with timing issues backed off distance and left putts short; this contrast highlights the value of conservative club choice and predictable ball-flight. Short-game drills and situational play to adopt include: integrate equipment, mental routines and a progressive practice plan to restore both distance and accuracy. Confirm shaft flex and loft through a brief fitting-overshafted or too-stiff shafts will magnify timing faults-then adopt a three-week regimen: Week 1 rebuild tempo and impact, Week 2 refine path and release with on-course simulations, Week 3 increase speed/control under pressure. Address common mistakes and corrections with this troubleshooting checklist: Complement technical work with mental routines-pre-shot breathing, a two-club visualisation for wind-affected shots and conservative target selection when conditions are unfavorable-to ensure timing improvements translate to lower scores across skill levels from beginners to low handicappers. In tournament-closing conditions, adopt a conservative game plan that balances scoring opportunity with risk control; this approach mirrors how Penge builds Spanish Open lead as Rahm fades, where conservative lines and smart club selection under pressure protected a margin rather than chasing low-percentage shots. First,pre-round preparation must be precise: confirm yardages with your GPS or rangefinder (include wind-corrected carry and target landing zones),mark pin positions,and set realistic scoring goals based on your play (for example,aim to hit 70-80% of greens in regulation into par-4s you normally reach). For wagering and situational play, favor head-to-head matchups and top-10 props over single-player outrights when weather is volatile; allocate a conservative bankroll slice-1% of bankroll per outright choice or 0.5-1% for long-shot props-and use hedging if a live lead becomes vulnerable late in the round. Transitioning from preparation to execution,emphasize controlled tempo and pre-shot routines to reduce unforced errors when conditions change. Short-game execution and green reading determine whether a conservative plan delivers par saves rather than bogeys, so practice with measurable, repeatable drills. Work on lag putting by placing a towel or coin target at 3 feet and taking ten putts from 30-50 yards off the practice green-aim to leave at least 8/10 inside that target. For chipping and bunker play, use a clock-face chipping drill around a hole at 5, 10 and 15 feet to train trajectory control and club selection; convert loft into distance by varying swing length and keeping the hands ahead of the ball at impact for consistent contact. Troubleshooting checkpoints: These drills help golfers of all levels convert conservative strategy into concrete scoring-beginners learn green speed and spin, while low handicappers refine lag-putt percentages and up-and-down reliability. Swing mechanics and equipment choices must support conservative decision-making on the course. Start with fundamentals: set a balanced stance at shoulder-width for mid-irons and widen to 1.5× shoulder-width for driver, maintain a spine tilt of 5-7° away from the target for driver to encourage an upward attack, and aim for an attack angle of +2° to +4° with the driver and -4° to -6° with mid-irons to compress the ball.Use targeted drills-slow-motion sequence, impact-bag strikes, and alignment-stick gate drills-to ingrain proper sequence and path. Equipment adjustments such as adding a degree of loft to a long iron for higher trajectory into firm pins or choosing a lower-spin driver head in windy conditions should be tested on-course; carry a spare wedge or adjust bounce selection when greens are soft or sand is firm. Common mistakes include early extension, overgripping, and inconsistent ball position-correct these with mirror work and a video-feedback session focusing on the three-piece checklist: setup, swing path, and impact. course management under changing conditions and wagering discipline go hand-in-hand; both require pre-emptive planning and situational awareness. When wind increases, club up by 1 club per 10 mph of headwind as a rough guideline and lower ball flight with a controlled release when necessary; when greens are soft after rain, aim for the middle of the green to leave accessible two-putts rather than chasing tucked pins. Mentally, practice pressure scenarios-simulate the final-hole par putt with consequences (for example, a small-stakes bet among playing partners) and implement breathing cues to steady tempo. For bettors, adopt conservative staking: flat-bet small units, prefer matchups and prop markets that reflect course fit and recent form (e.g.,Penge’s measured approach on firm downwind holes),and use in-play cash-outs to lock profit if a favored player gains momentum. In sum, marry technical consistency-measurable practice goals, specific setup and swing parameters, and situational shot choices-with conservative wagering and course management to protect a lead or salvage score under shifting conditions. As the leaderboard heads into the weekend, Marco Penge – who earned promotion to the DP World Tour last season – will seek to hold his advantage while Joel and other contenders press for a charge. Saturday’s penultimate round promises decisive drama as Penge aims to turn a breakthrough lead into a career-defining victory and the rest of the field fights to stop the young Englishman’s rise.
Final day outlook and wagering guidance with conservative strategies advised amid changing conditions
