2011 European Tour Season opens with win for Pablo Martin
December 12th 2010 18:23
Pablo Martin the defending champion at The Alfred Dunhill Championship shot a final round 70 to win again. Martin finished two shots ahead of Anthony Michael, Thorbjorn Olesen and Charl Schwartzel.
Martin from Spain got his second career win. The Tournament played in South Africa is the offical kick off for the 2011 Race to Dubai Championship hosted by the European Tour.
It was 25 year old rookie Michael who started the day top of the leaderboard, but when Martin almost holed his approach to the first and tapped in for birdie then sunk a ten foot eagle putt at the second it was all change.
Michael made his own birdie at the first, but parred the next and took two shots to get out of a greenside bunker on the third and bogeyed.
Martin holed eight foot putts for birdie on the seventh and ninth to turn in 30, although Michael had a birdie of his own on the eighth to maintain the pressure.
But the former professional baseball hopeful Michael snap-hooked his drive way left on the 11th and double bogeyed, leaving Martin five in front with seven to play.
Michael then attempted to follow his playing partner, but his ball splashed in the drink - although he commendably salvaged par.
"I played really well on the front nine," said Martin. "I didn't get in too much trouble and I holed a couple of good putts.
"I got really lucky on 13, I've not been swinging that great the whole week. It's winner's luck I guess.
Martin claims €158,500 and for the second year running becomes the first leader of this season's Race to Dubai
He is the first player to successfully defend a European Tour title since Padraig Harrington won the 2008 Open Championship, and also received a drenching from a bucket of water tipped over him by fellow Spaniards Rafael Cabrera-Bello and Alvaro Velasco.
“Normally, they throw people into ponds and stuff,” he said, “but I’m glad they restrained themselves today, because there are crocodiles and stuff around here.”
Olesen began his maiden European Tour campaign with a best-of-the-day 66, while Schwartzel finishes runner-up for the fourth time in the event he won in 2004 after a 70.
| 55 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Matt Saltmer
Procrasturbating
Best in Footy
English Premier League
Comment by Rick Gillispie
NBA Loud
Champions League Watch
Films Rock
Racing Weekend
Baseball is Good
Golf Slate