Martin Trainer closed with a 5-under 67 at windy Coco Beach Golf and Country Club to claim a three-stroke victory at the Puerto Rico Open.
The 27-year old PGA Tour rookie, who was making just his 11th start on the big tour, finished his final round with two bogeys against seven birdies, including three gains on a clean back-nine to reach 15-under par.
“It’s obviously incredible. I never thought that I would be able to win on the PGA Tour,” said Trainer, a USC product. “I managed do it today and that’s just incredible.”
For his maiden title, Trainer earned $540,000 and 300 FedExCup points, along with 24 Official World Golf Rankings points.
“I never had the luxury of making a plan, I was just trying to play as many events as I could,” said Trainer, who will move to No. 128 in the world rankings (from 285th).
“So now I guess that will be a little different, I’ll be able to pick and choose where I want to go and have a little more flexibility with my schedule.
“It’s just such a great feeling to be able to have that. I’m just trying to let it sink in.”
Aaron Baddeley, the 54-hole leader, shot a final-day 72 to tie for second on 12 under, alongside Daniel Berger (66), Roger Sloan (67) and Johnson Wagner (69).
FINAL TOP 5
Pos-Player-To Par (Final Rd)
1. Martin Trainer -15 (-5)
2. Daniel Berger -12 (-6)
2. Roger Sloan -12 (-5)
2. Johnson Wagner -12 (-3)
2. Aaron Baddeley -12 (E)
WINNER’S STATS
Driving: 306.8 yards (7th)
Fairways: 29/56, 51.8% (62nd)
Greens: 54/72, 75% (4th)
GIR/Putts: 88/1.630 (2nd)
Scoring: 23 Birdies, 41 Pars, 8 Bogeys (-15)
QUOTABLE
“You know, I figured I was probably going to win when I was on the 18th hole, but again, you just never know. You never know what the players behind me are going to do. Maybe the leaderboard is wrong. You just never know. I just tried to hit the shots and, you know, obviously I made birdie, which I think made me think, okay, I probably won now. On the 18th hole I thought it was one of those things where it’s like I’m 90 percent sure I’m going to win, but I don’t know.”
– Martin Trainer, 2019 Puerto Rico Open Champion
