Pablo Martín Benavides (born 20 April 1986) is a Spanish professional golfer.
Early life and amateur career In 1986, Martín was born in Málaga. He attended Oklahoma State University in the United States. Martín was named the Jack Nicklaus Award winner and the Haskins Award winner. Martin also won the 2005 Porter Cup.
In April 2007, Martín became the first amateur ever to win a European Tour event when he captured the Estoril Open de Portugal title. As an amateur, he had to forfeit the winner's prize money of €208,330 but the win still granted him exemption on the European Tour until the end of 2009.
Professional career He turned professional in June 2007 and completed the season playing on both the European Tour and the PGA Tour, relying on sponsors' invitations for PGA Tour events.
Martín did not enjoy immediate success on the European Tour after he turned professional, with only a single top ten finish in the 2008 and 2009 seasons but managed to retain his card for the 2010 season by finishing 118th on the 2009 Race to Dubai. However in the first event of the 2010 season, the Alfred Dunhill Championship, he won again to become the first player to win on the European Tour as both an amateur and as a professional. In December 2010, he defended this title winning the 2011 Alfred Dunhill Championship.
After a poor 2012 season, Martín lost full playing rights on the European Tour and did not complete the Qualifying School.
Awards and honors In 2006, Martín won three best college golfer awards: the Jack Nicklaus Award, the Haskins Award, and the Phil Mickelson Award.
Amateur wins 2001 Boys Amateur Championship 2004 Carris Trophy 2005 Porter Cup
Professional wins (3) European Tour wins (3) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up11 Apr 2007Estoril Open de Portugal (as an amateur)−7 (73-70-66-68=277)1 stroke Raphaël Jacquelin213 Dec 2009(2010 season)Alfred Dunhill Championship1−17 (68-63-71-69=271)1 stroke Charl Schwartzel312 Dec 2010(2011 season)Alfred Dunhill Championship1 (2)−11 (69-70-68-70=277)2 strokes Anthony Michael, Thorbjørn Olesen, Charl Schwartzel 1Co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour
Results in major championships Tournament2007200820092010Masters TournamentU.S. OpenT30T82The Open ChampionshipPGA Championship
"T" = tied
Results in World Golf Championships Tournament 2010 2011ChampionshipMatch PlayInvitationalChampionsT1675
QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play "T" = tied
Team appearances Amateur European Boys' Team Championship (representing Spain): 2002 (winners), 2003 Jacques Léglise Trophy (representing Continental Europe): 2002, 2003 Eisenhower Trophy (representing Spain): 2002, 2006 European Amateur Team Championship (representing Spain): 2003 (winners), 2005 European Youths' Team Championship (representing Spain): 2004 Bonallack Trophy (representing Europe): 2004 Palmer Cup (representing Europe): 2005, 2006 (winners)
Professional Royal Trophy (representing Europe): 2010 (winners), 2011 (winners)
References
External links