(Reuters) - Pablo Martin, the first amateur to win on The European Tour, said he had no regrets about delaying the launch of his professional career after landing last year's Estoril Open de Portugal title.
The 21 year old Spaniard has made a slow start since turning professional in June but, hopes to kick-start his game when he returns to Oitavos Dunes in Estoril for to begin his title defence.
Martin decided to go back to Oklahoma State University to represent his college golf team, thereby missing eight European Tour events before switching from the amateur ranks to play in the 2007 U.S. Open.
"I don't regret not turning pro straight away," said Martin. "I promised my coach at college I would go back and I was able to finish all but the last year of my economics degree.
"I can finish that when I want now. It would have been nice to earn money but I hope I will have plenty of years to do that."
Martin made a fine professional debut, finishing 30th at the 2007 U.S. Open in Oakmont, but lost his form in the second half of the season. A return to Portugal for the 2007 Portugal Masters saw him return to form as he finished 21st.
He repeated that performance at last month's Arnold Palmer Invitational on the US PGA Tour after missing four successive cuts on The European Tour. His display in Orlando, and a chance to work again with his coaches in America, put Martin in optimistic mood and he finished 25th in last week's MAPFRE Open de Andulcia by Valle Romano.
"I've been playing much better lately and I'm starting to putt better which is very important," he said.
"I think this can be a good week if I don't make too many mistakes because I know I'm going to have a very good feeling about the course."
Last week's play-off combatants in Andalucia, French winner Thomas Levet and teenage runner up Oliver Fisher of England, compete in Estoril.
England’s Brian Davis returns to Europe after finishing tied 33rd in the New Orleans Classic, while 2006 Ryder Cup players Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and David Howell are also in the line up.
