England’s Marco Penge finished runner-up in the Spanish Amateur Championship after losing a tight battle against Welshman Jack Davidson at El Saler in Valencia.
Penge is knocking on the door of a big win, having had to settle for second place in three major championships in the last 10 months. The Horsham-based 18 year old was pipped in a play-off for the French amateur last May; was beaten on the 36th hole of the 2017 New South Wales amateur by fellow England squad player Scott Gregory; and now, has bowed out 4&3 in the Spanish championship. Penge took control in the first part of the 36-hole final, never dropping behind over the opening 18 holes, and going in to lunch with a one-hole lead.
But Davidson squared matters on the 19th and got to one up when Penge three-putted the 22nd – and then stayed ahead for the rest of the match. The players traded eagles and birdies in the strengthening wind, but Davidson steadily increased his lead as the holes ran out.
Penge, from Golf at Goodwood in Sussex, who finished tied 13th in the stroke play rounds after scores of 77 and 72, said: “It was another great week, and I couldn’t have wished for better start to the season, with two second-placed finishes. It wasn’t meant to be, but I’m sure a win won’t be far away.”
Earlier in the championship, Penge teamed up with fellow internationals Alfie Plant and Bradley Moore to win the Nations Cup for England. The team event was played over the two qualifying rounds of the tournament.