Pablo Martin defends his Alfred Dunhill title.

Pablo Martin overcame a back-nine blip to successfully defend his Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek Country Club,in South Africa. This tournament signals the start of the 2011 year even though it is played in early December.

Having gone five shots clear at the start of the back nine, the Spaniard saw his lead reduced to one after a triple bogey at the 17th. He held his nerve to birdie the last for a third European Tour title with an 11 under pat total and a 2 shot win from Thorbjorn Olesen, Charl Schwartzel and Anthony Michael.

The best of the Irish was Belfast man Michael Hoey. Hoey hit 74 and followed up with 3 rounds of 72 to claim a share of 30th on 2 over par. Damien McGrane struggled on the greens to finish down in 43rd place on 5 over par and just like Hoey he failed to break par on any round.

Gary Murphy lost his tour card for the 2011 season and failed to come through the 2nd stage of qualifing. He got an invite to the Alfred Dunhill but failed to take advantage when he scored 74/73 to miss the cut by 1 shot.

Johhny Caldwell also got a start without a tour card, but never got to grips with the course. He struggled with rounds of 79 and 77 to miss the cut by 10 shots on +12.



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