Amateur Martin on verge of history in Portugal

The Portuguese Open could produce the first amateur winner in European Tour history tomorrow – and if it happens it should not come as a complete surprise.

After a quite stunning back nine 29 in windy conditions today, 20-year-old Spaniard Pablo Martin has given himself another chance to taste victory before he turns professional this summer.

Martin, who three years ago in Tenerife led the Spanish Open with only 17 holes to go, had jumped from 23rd place at halfway into a tie for second, only one behind Swede Alexander Noren, as the overnight leaders came to the closing stretch of their third rounds at Oitavos.

A student at Oklahoma University, Martin has already received the Jack Nicklaus award as the top college player in the States and only five weeks ago he made the cut at a US Tour event in Mexico.

This is just his fifth start on the European circuit and, referring to his last round 74 in Tenerife, he said: “I think I have matured a little bit since then.

“Every time you get to play with that pressure you learn things. I have got another chance now and I feel great – it’s great even to be in this place.”

The last amateur to win a professional event in Europe was Ireland’s Dr David Sheehan at the 1962 Jeyes Tournament at Royal Dublin. But that came before the formation of the Tour.

Two over par and eight behind when he turned in 37, Martin birdied the 10th then drove the green at the downwind 348-yard second, and holed a seven-foot putt for an eagle two.

Further birdies came on the 13th, 16th and 18th to give him a four-under aggregate of 209.

Last year’s English amateur champion Ross McGowan, playing only his second Tour event after switching to the paid ranks in November, led by two after 36 holes, but slumped to an outward 40.

However, the Surrey golfer then started for home with back-to-back birdies to be alongside Martin and Japan’s Taichi Teshima.

They were right on the heels of Noren, himself playing just his 11th Tour event.

The 24-year-old from Stockholm was two clear with six to play but then ran up a bogey six on the 13th.

Two behind were English pair Nick Dougherty and Graeme Storm, while the group on two under included 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie, fellow Scot Andrew Oldcorn and Arsenal fan Jamie Spence.

After matching Martin’s 66 Spence dashed off to see how his side were faring at Liverpool. Terribly, was the answer.

He, like Oldcorn and Martin, was reliant on an invitation to play this week. Oldcorn celebrated his 47th birthday in style by also returning a 66 and can now regain the card he lost at the end of last season.