Pablo Martin has been handed an unexpected call-up for his second Royal Trophy appearance, giving him the perfect excuse to keep the mood of celebration going.
Martin is still "buzzing" after clinching his third European Tour win at the start of December, when he successfully defended the Alfred Dunhill Championship, with a thrilling two shot victory. Martin's 2009 success had made him the first player to win on the European Tour as both a professional and an amateur - he created headlines around the world in 2007 as the first amateur to win a European Tour event when he beat the pros in the Estoril Open de Portugal.
He has been drafted in to the European Team to replace Italian Ryder Cup star Edoardo Molinari, who has reluctantly withdrawn because of a wrist injury.
And the young Spaniard is looking forward to repeating his triumphant debut in the fourth edition of the Royal Trophy, when his two points proved crucial in Europe's dramatic 8 1/2 – 7 1/2 victory.
He got off to a sticky start when he and European playing Captain Colin Montgomerie were defeated by the impressive Japanese duo of Ryo Ishikawa and Koumei Oda in the opening day's Foursomes. But he bounced back with victories in his Four-ball and Singles matches, showing the form that has seen him hailed as a future superstar since he crowned his glittering amateur career with that win in Portugal, in addition to cleaning up on the ultra-competitive American college circuit.
Martin enthused: "It feels great to have been asked back to represent Europe again. I'm still buzzing after my second Alfred Dunhill victory, and I'm sure the timing of that win helped me gain selection, just as the first win did last year.
"It is very exciting. The Royal Trophy is a great competition, with terrific galleries and a tremendous atmosphere. It has quickly inspired an intense rivalry between European and Asia, with matches that are played in the finest spirit of the game.
"There is a huge amount of pride and prestige at stake. It was fascinating to play with Colin in my first match, and witness just how much it means to him to represent Europe. That feeling is contagious, and it made losing our match together even harder to take.
"But I was pleased to be able to team up with Henrik Stenson to inflict the first defeat on Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng after they had won their three previous matches together, and I also managed to beat Prayad in the singles.
"Colin and Henrik are both on the Team again this time, so I could link up with them again, or maybe I will get the chance to partner Matteo Manassero. I know we are both young, but after all, I'm not a rookie any more!"
At 24, Martin's involvement adds another exciting young gun to a mix that already features plenty of the game's hottest young talents - including teenagers Manassero, Ishikawa, and new Asian number one Noh Seung-yul.
