Ben Martin seals maiden PGA Tour victory in Las Vegas
Ben Martin is aiming to follow in the footsteps of fellow American Jimmy Walker by getting off to a flying start in the FedEx Cup rankings.
The 27-year-old holed a huge eagle putt on the 16th hole on his way to landing a maiden PGA Tour win at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas.
Martin began the final round with a three shot lead but Webb Simpson and Kevin Streelman drew level to set up a tense finale.
However, Martin’s eagle putt on the par-5 16th gave him a cushion and he capped off a two-shot victory with a birdie at the last.
Streelman finished in second place with Scotland’s Russell Knox in third. Simpson and fellow Ryder Cup player Walker were among a host of players in tied fourth.
Martin admits he is now looking to add win number two as soon as possible.
“You look at what Jimmy Walker did last year winning early, and it just makes it easier the rest of the season,” he said.
It was a nice way to make a 20‑footer on the last hole for birdie and just move right up the FedExCup rankings early in the year" Martin insisted his putt on the 16th hole was the key moment.
“Yeah, I didn’t really look at the scoreboard so I didn’t know where I stood,” he said.
“But I got a read off of Russell’s putt, and I hadn’t got a whole lot to go in all day, but that was huge on 16.
“And then to cap it off on 18, making a 20‑footer for birdie to kind of seal it up was special.
“It was a nice way to make a 20‑footer on the last hole for birdie and just move right up the FedExCup rankings early in the year.”
James Savage
Former equipment editor of NCG. Inconsistent ball-striker and tea-maker.
