Amateur Martin makes golfing history
Amateur Martin makes golfing history
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Sunday, 01, Apr 2007 06:44
Spain's Pablo Martin made golfing history by becoming the first amateur to win a European Tour event as he won the Portuguese Open by one shot at Oitavos.
Martin held off a challenge from France's Raphael Jacquelin to finish on seven-under-par, though his amateur status meant he was unable to claim the £141,157 winner's cheque.
Jacquelin ensured a tight finish by chipping in for a birdie on the final hole, but Martin held his nerve coming up the 18th to secure the par that handed him his historic victory.
With a number of top European players missing the event in order to prepare for the forthcoming Masters tournament, Martin was able to claim a win that grants him a qualifying exemption until 2009.
The Malaga player had begun the day in third place but a three-under-par final round of 68 was enough to see off a field that also included Britons David Griffiths and Graeme Storm, who shared third place with Germany's Martin Kaymer and South African Charl Schwartzel on three-under-par.
Alex Noren of Sweden and England's Ross McGowan had led the field overnight, but both carded scores of 76 to fall out of contention.
The achievement - the first tour win by an amateur after 1,145 events - further enhances 20-year-old Martin's credentials following his success on the US college circuit, which saw the Spaniard claim the Jack Nicklaus and Fred Haskins awards for the top college player last year.