Now Paula's a Ping girl

Spain’s glamorous star, Paula Marti, has signed a deal to use Ping equipment and marked her signature with an immediate win in the Educom Australian LPGA Championship at the Horizons Resort, New South Wales.

The 22 year-old from Barcelona, closed with a level par 72, then defeated local favourite Karen Pearce on the third hole of a sudden-death playoff.

Paula Marti- Ping contract.

Marti, a former Spanish Amateur champion, has made a big impact since turning pro a year ago after a formidable amateur career.

She won on just her fifth appearance on the Evian Ladies European Tour when she captured the La Perla Italian Open at Poggio dei Medici and later won the Kelloggs All-Bran British Masters at Mottram Hall.

Her third pro victory comes within weeks of signing a one year deal to use Ping clubs and wear their headwear. Paula uses the new TiSi Tec driver, i3 irons and a Ping putter.

Phoenix Open winner Chris DiMarco also uses Ping clubs and will be hoping to follow up his sixth place in Sunday's Nissan Open with a first round victory over defending champion Steve Stricker in the Accenture World Matchplay which starts tomorrow (Wednesday).

DiMarco, who uses an unusual pencil grip on his putter is currently No. 1 on the US PGA Tour money list with earnings of $1,110,807.

Another Ping player, the big-hitting South African Rory Sabbatini, is also tipped to do well after his second place at Riviera on Sunday. He takes on US PGA champion David Toms in the first round of matchplay at La Costa.