Ben Martin Bio
Benjamin Walter Martin, known professionally as Ben Martin, is an American professional golfer who has competed on the PGA Tour since earning his card in 2014. Born on August 26, 1987, in Greenwood, South Carolina, Martin turned professional in 2010 and quickly built a reputation as a steady ball striker with a flair for clutch putting. He has recorded multiple victories across developmental and main tour events, including a PGA Tour win at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in October 2014.
Standing 180 centimeters tall and weighing 79 kilograms, Martin has remained a consistent presence on tour over more than a decade, participating in major championships and the game’s marquee events. He is a graduate of Clemson University and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina, continuing his career among the PGA Tour’s playing ranks.
Early Life and Background
Benjamin Walter Martin was born on August 26, 1987, in Greenwood, South Carolina, a community with a long tradition of producing competitive golfers. Raised in the Palmetto State, Martin was introduced to golf at a young age, growing up surrounded by the region’s expansive course offerings and year-round playing climate. The local golf culture of South Carolina provided an early foundation for his development as a player.
Martin attended Clemson University, where he played collegiate golf and sharpened his skills against some of the strongest amateur competition in the country. His time at Clemson helped him mature as a player and prepared him for the demands of professional golf. Following his collegiate career, he remained an amateur long enough to qualify for three major championships, an uncommon achievement that signaled his readiness for the professional ranks.
Path to Professional Golf
As an amateur, Martin distinguished himself by reaching the final of the 2009 U.S. Amateur, one of the most prestigious events in amateur golf. His runner-up finish drew national attention and confirmed his status as one of the top young American players of his generation. The experience of competing deep into the U.S. Amateur bracket, combined with his appearances in major championships as an amateur, gave him valuable exposure to high-level tournament golf.
Martin turned professional in 2010 and made an immediate impact, winning in only his second professional start. By the end of that same year, he reached the final stage of PGA Tour qualifying school and finished as runner-up, securing his place on the PGA Tour for the following season. These early accomplishments set the stage for a career that would soon include victories at both the developmental and main tour levels.
Ben Martin Career
Early Career (2010-2012)
Ben Martin began his professional career in 2010, and his rapid early progress was notable. After winning in just his second professional start, he finished second at PGA Tour qualifying school to earn full status on the main tour. He entered the 2011 PGA Tour season with momentum, making the cut in 12 of 25 events during his rookie campaign.
Despite his consistency in making cuts, Martin did not earn enough prize money in 2011 to retain his PGA Tour card for 2012. He returned to the Web.com Tour, the developmental circuit of the PGA Tour, for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The move gave him an opportunity to refine his game, regain confidence, and pursue another path back to the top level.
Web.com Tour Breakthrough (2013)
Martin’s 2013 season on the Web.com Tour marked a turning point in his career. He captured his first developmental tour victory at the 2013 United Leasing Championship, a result that announced his readiness to return to the PGA Tour. The win gave him valuable momentum heading into the latter portion of the season.
Building on that breakthrough, Martin finished second on the 2013 Web.com Tour regular season money list, earning an automatic return to the PGA Tour for 2014. His runner-up position on the money list reflected a year of consistent high finishes, not just one event, demonstrating that his game was built for sustained success rather than a single hot streak.
PGA Tour Breakthrough (2014)
On October 19, 2014, Ben Martin earned his first career PGA Tour victory at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. The defining moment came over the closing holes, where he played the final four in four under par, including a 46-foot eagle putt on the 16th hole. The clutch finish gave him a two-stroke victory over Kevin Streelman, a fellow PGA Tour veteran.
In his second full season on the PGA Tour in 2014, Martin finished 76th in the final FedEx Cup standings. He posted three top-10 finishes, including a solo third at the Puerto Rico Open and a tie for third at both the RBC Heritage and the Quicken Loans National. The combination of his breakthrough win and several high finishes confirmed his place on the PGA Tour.
Ben Martin Career Wins
Ben Martin has accumulated professional wins across multiple circuits since turning professional in 2010. His victories span the eGolf Professional Tour, the Web.com Tour, and the PGA Tour, illustrating a steady climb through the developmental ranks into the game’s top level. Each win reflected a different stage of his development, from his early professional days to his breakthrough on golf’s biggest stage.
PGA Tour Highlights
Martin has recorded one PGA Tour victory, captured at the 2014 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. The win came during his second full season on tour and was secured with a dramatic closing stretch, including the 46-foot eagle putt on the 16th hole that broke the tournament open. The two-stroke margin over Kevin Streelman gave Martin his maiden PGA Tour title and remains the headline result of his main tour career.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his PGA Tour title, Martin has collected wins on developmental circuits, including the eGolf Professional Tour and the Web.com Tour. His first Web.com Tour victory came at the 2013 United Leasing Championship, a key result that helped him secure his 2014 PGA Tour card. These earlier wins were essential building blocks for his PGA Tour success.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGA Tour | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Web.com Tour | 1 | Multiple | 0 |
| eGolf Professional Tour | 1 | Multiple | 0 |
Ben Martin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Detailed public information about Ben Martin’s family background is limited. He was born and raised in Greenwood, South Carolina, an area with a strong tradition of producing competitive golfers, which likely shaped his early introduction to the game. His collegiate path to Clemson University, a school with a respected golf program, further suggests a family environment that supported his athletic development.
Personal Life
Ben Martin resides in Greenville, South Carolina, a city located in the same state as his hometown of Greenwood. He continues to base his professional golf career in the Southeast, close to several prominent courses and training facilities in the region. Beyond his residence, Martin maintains an active presence on social media, where fans can follow his professional updates.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 PGA Tour season, Ben Martin continues his career as a veteran American professional. His experience, including a PGA Tour win and multiple major championship appearances as both an amateur and professional, positions him as a steady presence in the field. Martin’s track record of clutch performances, most notably the closing stretch of the 2014 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, suggests he remains capable of contending on any given week.
Martin’s career trajectory has emphasized consistency and resilience, from his early professional win in 2010 to his return to the PGA Tour in 2014. While specific 2025 tournament results will shape his FedEx Cup standing, his established base in Greenville, South Carolina, and his long tenure on tour provide a stable platform. The 2025 season offers Martin the opportunity to add to his career win total and to compete in marquee events.
As a graduate of Clemson University and a player with more than a decade of professional experience, Ben Martin enters 2025 with the kind of perspective and course knowledge that often translates to strong play on familiar venues. Whether contending for a title or working to secure his playing privileges, he remains a recognizable name among American professional golfers. His story, from Greenwood, South Carolina, to the PGA Tour, continues to unfold on the game’s biggest stages.