Ben Martin wins Shriners Open

Ben Martin of the USA played his last four holes in four-under-par to win the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas by two shots from countryman Kevin Streelman.

Ben Martin of the USA played his last four holes in four-under-par to win the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas by two shots from countryman Kevin Streelman.

Martin held the overnight lead from Scotland’s Russell Knox, but a charging Kevin Streelman moved to the top of the board on the back nine of the final round.

Streelman birdied five holes out of six from the 12th to the 17th to reach 18-under-par – one clear of Martin. But the 27-year-old from Carolina was not daunted as he finished strongly.

He had birdied the 15th to keep Streelman in sight, he then eagled the par-5 16th with a monster putt, to move to 19-under-par. Streelman then missed a short birdie effort at the final hole and posted a total of 18-under-par.

Martin made a par at the penultimate hole and then birdied the last to secure his first PGA Tour title.

"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."

Scotland’s Russell Knox played in the final group with Martin. He suffered a double-bogey on the 9th hole but rallied with three straight birdies from the 14th. He then holed a clutch par putt at the last to secure third spot on his own and a cheque for $421,600.

Defending champion Webb Simpson tied for fourth with fellow Americans Brooks Koepka and Jimmy Walker.

With the win, Martin has moved joint top of the early FedEx Cup standings.

Shriners Hospitals for Children Open TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada Oct 16-19, purse $6,200,000, par 71

1    Ben Martin (USA)        68    66    62    68    264    $1,116,000 2    Kevin Streelman (USA)    71    67    63    65    266    $669,600 3    Russell Knox (Sco)    65    67    66    70    268    $421,600 T4    Brooks Koepka (USA)    69    68    64    68    269    $256,267 T4    Webb Simpson (USA)    69    65    67    68    269    $256,267 T4    Jimmy Walker (USA)    69    69    62    69    269    $256,267 T7    Tony Finau (USA)        68    65    70    67    270    $193,234 T7    David Hearn (Can)    70    66    66    68    270    $193,234 T7    Scott Piercy (USA)    67    67    67    69    270    $193,234

Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage