Ben Martin secures first career win at the United Leasing Championship – Golf News
Ben Martin of the United States parred the first extra hole in the playoffs of the United Leasing Championship Presented by PTI, to secure the first victory of his professional career.
The tournament was being staged at the Victoria National Golf Club in Newburgh, featuring a strong line-up vying for a share of $600,000 prize fund.
Entering the final round, Martin was trailing the overnight leader Billy Hurley III by five strokes and sharing the fifth spot on the leaderboard.
Starting on the front nine, he bogeyed the very first hole that he played, however, the blemish did not shatter his confidence as the American bounced back strongly with birdies on each of the next two holes. Another birdie on
the ninth allowed him to reach the turn in two under.
The back nine of the course witnessed him adding another three shots to his scorecard. At the end of the four rounds in regulation, he found himself sharing the top spot with Ashley Hall, Joe Affrunti and Hurley.
Before they could start the sudden-death playoffs, the four-hour rain delay forced them to return to the clubhouse, and the game resumed on Monday morning.
His drive on the first extra hole found the fairway, where he used the 6-iron to hit the ball right onto the green. He then two putted and watched other players missing the par putts.
''I woke up at 5:30 this morning and was ready to go,'' said Martin. ''I knew they were calling for rain, but we're used to playing this waiting game.”
''When I drew a number and saw it was number one I was pretty pleased,'' added Martin. ''It's such a tough drive because right is in the water and left is in the rough or the bunker. I was happy to get it out of the way and that
probably did put a little pressure on them.''
The victory also made him eligible to pocket $108,000 and moved to the number four position in the Web.com Tour’s money list.
He now plans to keep the momentum going in the upcoming events and maintain consistency in his game, in a bid to earn the PGA Tour card for the 2014 golf season.
Tags: