14 Dec 2009

Pablo Martin wins European PGA golf tournament

7:47 am on 14 December 2009

Spaniard Pablo Martin has created history by becoming the first golfer to win European Tour tournaments as an amateur and as a professional.

The 23-year-old native of Malaga held off a charge from South African Charl Schwartzel to finish with a 69 and claim a one-stroke victory in the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa.

Martin, winner of the 2007 Estoril Open in Portugal before joining the paid ranks, had a four-round total of 271, 17-under-par on a course designed by South African legend Gary Player.

Former Dunhill winner Schwartzel closed with a 68 for a total of 272, two strokes better than Dane Anders Hansen with defending champion Richard Sterne of South Africa among a group a further two shots adrift.