Oklahoma State University Athletics
Pablo Martin Makes History At European PGA Event
April 01, 2007 | Cowboy Golf
Oklahoma State junior Pablo Martin etched his name into the record books on Sunday, becoming the first amateur to win a European PGA Tour event.
Martin carded a 3-under 68 during the final round of the Estoril Open de Portugal to finish at 277 and one shot ahead of Raphael Jacquelin. With his 7-under score, he became the first amateur champion in the history of the tour which includes 1,145 events.
“This is a great achievement for me and I think playing with Alex Norén, who I played with at Oklahoma State in my freshman year, today – as well as Ross (McGowan), who I played with before and who is a really good friend – made it like playing in college,” Martin told europeantour.com
After opening with a 2-over 73 during his first round at the Quinta de Marinha Golf Club, Martin posted a 70 on Friday before catching fire on the weekend. The 2006 collegiate player of the year moved into contention with a 66 on Saturday that included a 5-under 29 on his back nine before playing a flawless final round.
On Sunday, Martin turned at 2-under with a pair of birdies and seven pars and got to 3-under with a birdie on No. 10. He closed out his round with eight consecutive pars to seal the win.
The start was the second consecutive on the European Tour for the Malaga, Spain native. He missed the cut last week at the Madeira Island Open. Earlier this year, Martin finished 63rd at the PGA Tour's Mayakoba Golf Classic.
Martin nearly earned his first European Tour win as a 17-year-old, leading the 2003 Canarias Open de Espana through three rounds before tying for 22nd. In addition, he becomes the second Cowboy amateur to win a professional event, joining Scott Verplank, who won the 1985 Western Open.
“It is nice to see him play well and enjoy himself on the golf course,” Cowboy head coach Mike McGraw said. “We are very proud of him and his victory means a lot to our program.”
Norén, who played for OSU from 2002-05, entered the final round with a one-shot lead before a final round of 76 dropped him into a tie for 11th place. The Stockholm, Sweden native was coming off his best finish of the season last week, tying for seventh place at the Madeira Islands Open.
Martin carded a 3-under 68 during the final round of the Estoril Open de Portugal to finish at 277 and one shot ahead of Raphael Jacquelin. With his 7-under score, he became the first amateur champion in the history of the tour which includes 1,145 events.
“This is a great achievement for me and I think playing with Alex Norén, who I played with at Oklahoma State in my freshman year, today – as well as Ross (McGowan), who I played with before and who is a really good friend – made it like playing in college,” Martin told europeantour.com
After opening with a 2-over 73 during his first round at the Quinta de Marinha Golf Club, Martin posted a 70 on Friday before catching fire on the weekend. The 2006 collegiate player of the year moved into contention with a 66 on Saturday that included a 5-under 29 on his back nine before playing a flawless final round.
On Sunday, Martin turned at 2-under with a pair of birdies and seven pars and got to 3-under with a birdie on No. 10. He closed out his round with eight consecutive pars to seal the win.
The start was the second consecutive on the European Tour for the Malaga, Spain native. He missed the cut last week at the Madeira Island Open. Earlier this year, Martin finished 63rd at the PGA Tour's Mayakoba Golf Classic.
Martin nearly earned his first European Tour win as a 17-year-old, leading the 2003 Canarias Open de Espana through three rounds before tying for 22nd. In addition, he becomes the second Cowboy amateur to win a professional event, joining Scott Verplank, who won the 1985 Western Open.
“It is nice to see him play well and enjoy himself on the golf course,” Cowboy head coach Mike McGraw said. “We are very proud of him and his victory means a lot to our program.”
Norén, who played for OSU from 2002-05, entered the final round with a one-shot lead before a final round of 76 dropped him into a tie for 11th place. The Stockholm, Sweden native was coming off his best finish of the season last week, tying for seventh place at the Madeira Islands Open.
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