Pablo Martin got his 2010 European Tour season off to a flying start by winning the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

Heading into the South African tournament, Martin was ranked 488th in the world and only maintained his card on the final day of last season when finishing 118th in the tour's money list.

However, he gained confidence from this to secure his second title on the European Tour, with the other occurring at the 2007 Estoril Open de Portugal when still an amateur.

The Spaniard had only registered one top-ten finish since with his golf balls, but a final-round three-under-par 69 at Leopard Creek Country Club was enough for a one-stroke victory over Charl Schwartzel.

Martin has also labelled his sister as his lucky charm at tournaments, as he only seems to cross the finish line with her in attendance.

He told the European Tour website: "She can't go home now, because she was with me at both tournaments I have won. Her kids will have to wait a bit before they get her back.

"It's an unbelievable feeling. I am so happy and there was so much emotion today (December 13th)."

The victory also makes Martin the first golfer to win events on the European Tour as both an amateur and a professional.

Schwartzel, who won the tournament in 2004, began the closing 18 holes in a share of second place alongside Callaway golf equipment user Ernie Els and set up a tense finale with a string of late birdies.

He picked up shots on four of his final five holes thanks to solid play with his golf irons and golf putter for back-to-back 68s and a tournament total of 16 under par.

Meanwhile, he was the only player in the event to shoot under 70 in all four of his rounds.

The South African told the event's website: "I put it all in there and played with a lot of confidence. I made a good charge at the end there and it got close."

However, the tournament did not end so well for his countryman Els, who faded to a 77 in his final round to go without a victory in a calendar year for the first time since 1990.

The Callaway X-Forged golf wedges user capped his round off with a double bogey on the 18th.

This is the same hole where he ran into trouble two years ago, when he found the water twice to hand victory to John Bickerton.

Richard Sterne put up a worthy fight to successfully defend his title, but a slow start to the event meant that a round of 66 was only good enough for a share of fourth, five shots adrift of Martin.

Denmark's Anders Hansen, who plays with Titleist Pro V1x golf balls, joined Schwartzel with a 68 to take third.

Meanwhile, Gareth Maybin and English duo Robert Rock and Dale Whitnell joined Sterne in a tie for fourth.

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