Green triumphs as Martin implodes

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October 19, 2010

Richard Green has come through to win the Portugal Masters after the overnight leader Pablo Martin imploded.

Richard Green fired a fine final round seven-under 67 to win the Portugal Masters by two shots after overnight leader Pablo Martin imploded on the final hole and tumbled down the leaderboard into a share of 6th place.
The lanky Australian left-hander, seven behind at the start of the day, carded an astonishing 11 birdies, and could even afford to bogey two of his last three holes on his way to victory.
Martin (75) began the day with a three-shot lead, but suffered a traumatic day and a double-bogey at 18 left him 15-under in a share of sixth.
A birdie at 17 had given him the chance to force a play-off, but a dreadful hook off the tee saw him drop back and hand Green his third European title.
Australia’s Richard Green shot a final round of seven under par to claim the Portugal Masters title as overnight leader Pablo Martin fell apart in Vilamoura.
Martin led by three strokes overnight but went round in 75 on Sunday, three over, to finish in a tie for sixth on 15 under par.
That allowed Green to storm through from seven shots back courtesy of an eventful round which saw him card 11 birdies against four bogeys.
He claimed the clubhouse lead on 18 under par and faced an anxious wait as Martin completed his round.
The Spaniard hit back-to-back bogeys at the 15th and 16th, but a birdie at 17 meant a final birdie would have sent him into a play-off.
It was not to be, however, as a second double bogey of his disappointing round after driving into the water meant he even missed out on a second place.
Green, in the meantime, was clearly upbeat with the way he had played.
“I hit the ball good all week,” he told the media.
“Today has probably been my best day with the putter I’ve had all week.
“I’ve averaged 31 putts for the round over the first three days and today they started to go in which was great.
“I’ve been playing well for a while now so I’ve been looking forward to these few weeks with the nice weather.”
A surging Francesco Molinari finished tied for second in a group of four on 16-under after an incredible week in which he shot 74-62-74-62 – his final round including nine birdies and an eagle.
Alongside the Italian on 16 under were Swede Robert Karlsson, Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Joost Luiten, of Holland.
England’s David Dixon and Ireland’s Paul Lawrie shared sixth with Martin.