Pablo Martin: Dunhill Defense & Race to Dubai Redux

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Pablo Martin 2009/2010
Alfred Dunhill Championship

Exactly one year ago upon winning the 2009/2010 Alfred Dunhill Championship, Pablo Martin proudly cradled the regal looking bronze leopard trophy.

His down to the wire, one-stroke victory over Charl Schwartzel at Leopard Creek Country Club  had earned him the impressive trophy and made him the first golfer to win on the European tour as both an amateur and a professional.  It also earned him a short-lived lead in the 2010 Race to Dubai.

Pablo Martin 2010/2011
Alfred Dunhill Championship

Flash forward 365 days and the picture is practically identical:  Same young man (he's only 24-years-old)... same beautiful course... same stately sculpted leopard.   There was even another nail-biting finish.  The only major difference being that with his  2010/2011 Alfred Dunhill Championship win the Spaniard becomes the first man to retain a Euro Tour title since Padraig Harrington won a second straight British Open in 2008.

And in what's been a banner year for athletes from Spain, Pablo Martin's successful title defense is one more reason for Spanish sports fans to celebrate. ¡Claro que si! Felicitaciones a Pablo y a España.

December 12, 2009 - Photos by Warren Little/Getty Images Europe