Paula’s Perfect Finish: Spanish Star Shines at Nairn
Martin Sampedro adds her name to history in an amateur final to remember
Seoul, Korea - Paula Martin Sampedro of Spain clinched the 122nd Women’s Amateur Championship at Nairn with a commanding display of class, composure, and clutch shot-making, defeating the USA’s Farah O’Keefe 2&1 in a final that gripped the Moray coast crowd from the first swing to the last putt.
The 19-year-old from Madrid, ranked 12th in the world, became Spain’s sixth Women’s Amateur champion and the first since Azahara Muñoz in 2009. Her victory not only cements her name in amateur golf history but also unlocks major championship doors — including starts at the AIG Women’s Open and The Amundi Evian Championship this summer, and the Chevron and US Women’s Opens in 2026.
“This doesn’t feel real,” Martin Sampedro admitted, eyes wide with wonder. “I knew it would come down to the final few holes. I stayed patient. And it just went my way.”
Played over 35 spellbinding holes, the final was a masterclass in match play. Morning session? Ten birdies between them. No bogeys. The pair traded blows with elegant precision, with the contest all square at lunch.
Martin Sampedro edged ahead early in the afternoon when O’Keefe finally blinked — a rare bogey on the 19th. But the American, just 20 and already eighth in the world rankings, responded like a champion, drawing level again at the 21st. From there, it was a rollercoaster of momentum.
A chip-in birdie on the 24th. A 15-footer on the 25th. That was Paula in full flow. Yet O’Keefe never faded. A 25-foot bomb on the 27th, then a brilliant eagle on 28 after a 5-iron to tap-in range. It was fireworks from both ends of the fairway.
But the final chapter belonged to Martin Sampedro. A par on the 31st regained the lead. A lip-out from O’Keefe at 32 doubled it. And when another nervy short putt missed on 33, the writing was on the wind-whipped Nairn dunes. Victory was sealed on the 35th.
Helping her all the way? Close friend and quarter-final opponent Paula Francisco, now caddie. “She’s been key,” said Martin Sampedro. “I don’t think I could’ve done this without her.”
And what of the future? With major starts secured and Augusta National Women’s Amateur next spring, Paula’s path is paved with promise. She’s even hoping to reunite with coach Alejandro Larrazábal on the bag — the 2002 Amateur champion at Royal Porthcawl. “Maybe it’s destiny,” she smiled.
It just might be.