Surge lifts Martin to first US PGA win

Ben Martin played his last four holes in four-under par on Sunday to capture his first US PGA Tour title at the Shriners Hospitals Open.

The 27-year-old American fired a three-under par final round of 68 at TPC Summerlin for a 20-under par total of 268 and a two-stroke victory over Kevin Streelman.

Martin, who was one-over par for the day through 14 holes, followed a birdie at 15 with an eagle at the par-five 16th that put him in the lead, and capped his round with another birdie.

“It was an awesome way to finish,” Martin said.

“I didn’t feel like I had much going all day. Four-under on my last four to cap my first win was just awesome.”

With his first PGA Tour title – in the second event of the tour’s 2014-15 season, Martin secured a berth in next April’s Masters.

He played the first major of the year as an amateur in 2010.

Streelman birdied five of the last seven holes en route to a 65 for 266.

Scotland’s Russell Knox, who shared the second-round lead, carded a one-under 70 and finished alone in third place on 268.

Knox’s hopes of a first US tour title took a hit with bogeys at the third and eighth followed by a double-bogey at the par-five ninth.

His four birdies on the back nine included three in a row at 14, 15 and 16, but it wasn’t enough.

Defending champion Webb Simpson briefly grabbed a share of the lead with his birdie at the 17th, but he finished with a bogey in a 68 that left him tied for fourth on 269.

He was joined by Jimmy Walker, who carded a 69, and Brooks Koepka, who fired a 68.

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