Jon Rahm’s comeback ignites excitement at the Spanish Open — but not everyone’s story ends on a high note.
MADRID — The home crowd had every reason to cheer on Friday as Jon Rahm stormed back into contention at the Spanish Open with a dazzling performance that reminded everyone why he’s one of golf’s most dominant figures. After a rocky opening round, Rahm found his rhythm and fired off seven birdies for a 5-under 66, reigniting hopes of capturing his fourth title at this historic event. But here’s where it gets interesting — while Rahm surged up the leaderboard, Ryder Cup hero Shane Lowry couldn’t quite climb out of his early slump.
Rahm’s fiery second round left him just five strokes behind England’s Marco Penge, who currently leads after carding a composed 67. The turnaround was critical for Rahm, who had started with a 72 on Thursday — a score that left fans wondering whether the hometown star might falter. Instead, he delivered the kind of masterclass that has defined his career.
Lowry’s story, however, took a different turn. Fresh off the emotional high of sealing Europe’s Ryder Cup victory just two weeks ago, he stumbled with a 75 in the opening round. A much-improved 68 on Friday showed flashes of his usual brilliance, yet it wasn’t enough — he missed the cut by a single heartbreaking stroke. For a player of Lowry’s caliber, that’s a bitter pill to swallow. Could the mental fatigue from the Ryder Cup still be lingering? Fans and critics alike are already debating that question.
Meanwhile, Marco Penge’s steady precision helped him stay at the top. With four birdies in a clean, bogey-free round, the Englishman sits one shot ahead of a tightly packed trio: Denmark’s Jeff Winther, Switzerland’s Joel Girrbach, and Canada’s Aaron Cockerill. Each of them delivered strong showings that threaten to shake up the weekend leaderboard — and make no mistake, this could easily turn into one of the most unpredictable Spanish Opens in recent memory.
Rahm now finds himself tied for 18th — close enough to strike but far enough that every swing on Saturday will matter. There’s also a layer of history fueling his drive: the chase to surpass Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros as the tournament’s most decorated champion since the European Tour began in 1972. With wins in 2018, 2019, and 2022, Rahm is already in elite company. But a fourth title would place him in a class of his own, solidifying his legacy as Spain’s modern-day golf icon.
This marks Rahm’s seventh appearance in Madrid, a city that has often brought out his best. Last year, he came agonizingly close, finishing runner-up to fellow Spaniard Ángel Hidalgo after a playoff thriller. Ironically, Hidalgo won’t be defending his crown this year — he missed the cut at three over par, a reminder of just how unforgiving this tournament can be.
As the weekend approaches, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Rahm’s fans are buzzing at the possibility of another comeback victory, while others wonder if Penge can hold his nerve under the rising pressure. Will this be the start of another fairytale for Jon Rahm — or the breakout win of Marco Penge’s career? Drop your thoughts below — does Rahm’s resurgence feel inevitable, or are we about to witness a major upset at the Spanish Open?
