Martin wins Shriner's Open for first-ever victory
On the US PGA Tour, America's Ben Martin held off Kevin Streelman to win the Shriner's Hospital Challenge on Sunday.
Martin weathered a full onslaught from Streelman after the champion squandered a comfortable lead over the front nine. Recovering his composure after the turn, he found himself back in the lead at the 16th after an impressive eagle – a birdie at the final hole sealed Martin's two-stroke victory.
Streelman was left scratching his head after his powerful challenge for the trophy failed on the back nine.
After gaining four shots over the last four holes, Martin lifted his first PGA Tour trophy off 53 starts. The 2009 US Amateur runner-up has enjoyed a solid performance on the Tour since 2011. His maiden victory on Sunday is a sign of things to come for the 27-year-old as he finds his feet on the Tour.
Ilonen makes comeback with World Match Play victory
Finland's Mikko Ilonen put almost a decade of technical challenges behind him on Sunday when he won the World Match Play Championship 3 & 1 against Sweden's Henrik Stenson.
34-year-old Ilonen became the first Finn to win the title after he carded a bogey-free final round – with four birdies in the mix for good measure. After a successful semi-final round against Joost Luiten, Ilonen kept Stenson at bay to lift his second trophy of the 2014 season – and the fifth of his career.
Ilonen's performance this season – with two wins within 6 months of each other – is proof of how far his game has come since his professional debut in 2001. Once known for his jitters on the green, the Finn has refined his short game to the highest level, taking some of the world's top players by surprise on Sunday with a precision victory at the London Club.
GolfWeather
Editorial
Copyright ©2014 Golfweather.com, All rights reserved.
Part of the WGT Media Network