Miguel Angel Jimenez wins Hong Kong Open to break Tour record

[Andy808]

Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez broke his own record as the European Tour's oldest winner with victory in a play-off at the Hong Kong Open.Jimenez, who is 50 on 5 January, retained the title that first saw him break the Tour record 12 months ago.
It was his 20th European win and first since breaking a leg skiing last year.
He shot a final-day 66 and was tied at 12 under with Welshman Stuart Manley and Prom Meesawat of Thailand, winning with a birdie at the first extra hole.
Jimenez is confident of securing a place in the European Ryder Cup team to face the United States at Gleneagles next year - if he continues to play as he did in Hong Kong.He said: "There is one more year to go and this victory will help a lot."
Should he qualify, Jimenez - who made the most recent of his four appearances in the competition in 2010 - would be the oldest player to appear in the Ryder Cup, eclipsing Ted Ray who was 50 years, two months and five days old at the inaugural contest in 1927.
After winning a record-equalling fourth Hong Kong Open title, the 168th Spanish victory on the European Tour, Jimenez said: "I love this place. I love this golf course. I love the tournament."
The win was Jimenez's seventh European Tour success on Asian soil, extending another of his records.
Manley, seeking his first European Tour title, held a one-stroke advantage over Shiv Kapur and Wade Ormsby entering the final round, with Jimenez two shots off the lead and Meesawat, 29, one further back.
Meesawat, also yet to win on the European Tour, was three ahead at one point and set the clubhouse target with a 65 containing two eagles.
After three birdies in four holes from the 11th, Jimenez, playing in his 618th European Tour event, dropped his only shot of the round at the 15th, but birdied the 17th and then saved par from a greenside bunker on the last to match Meesawat at 12 under.
Manley, 34, had an eventful start to his final round, mixing four birdies and four bogeys in his opening 10 holes, but his chance appeared to have gone when he missed a good birdie opportunity on the 17th.
But the Welshman, who had a hole-in-one followed by an 11 at the World Cup of Golf last month, chipped in from just off the 18th green to make it a three-way play-off.
The players returned to the 18th, where Jimenez secured victory by holing a slippery downhill putt from 18 feet.

I always love watching him play and his attitude is superb.
Well done.

 

[Tab373]

What driver was he using. Ping as normal but it looked glossy not matte like others. I25 maybe.

 

[medwayjon]

This has made me very happy indeed.

I love Jiminez

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Gives hope to all us old Pharts out there
Seen him play several times and he autographed my cap at the BMW PGA at Wentworth last time.
Always good value

 

[JCW]

Its good to see , I have followed him during our annual golf trip to the Algarve , same week they Play the Portugal Masters at the Victoria G C in vilamoura , we always have a day off on the Thursday and a late flight back sunday , he will clean up in the seniors tour and along with Tom Watson has given us older guys a lift in our own games .......................EYG

 

[Pin-seeker]

The man is Coolness personified.

 

[El Bandito]

Brilliant. I'm going to crack open a decent Rioja in his honour. I'm sure he has already ploughed through a couple. Good man!

 

[Hickory_Hacker]

Gives hope to all us old Pharts out there
Seen him play several times and he autographed my cap at the BMW PGA at Wentworth last time.
Always good value

When your a 20 handicapper its a miracle your after not hope lol. :fore:

 

[Hickory_Hacker]

The man is Coolness personified.

You didn't see him stomping about, tossing a club and giving the caddie it tight then ... He was a raging bull.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

You didn't see him stomping about, tossing a club and giving the caddie it tight then ... He was a raging bull.

He certainly has the fiery Mediterranean temperament

 

[Hickory_Hacker]

He certainly has the fiery Mediterranean temperament

I was shocked and it wasn't good viewing. Bubba was giving his caddie some stick last night, I heard him saying wrong club again! Gee whiz - How are you meant to club that guy when he's swinging like an ape, it would make good reading checking out his yardages/stats!

 

[Pin-seeker]

You didn't see him stomping about, tossing a club and giving the caddie it tight then ... He was a raging bull.

:rofl: no I missed that

 

[Hickory_Hacker]

:rofl: no I missed that

I couldn't believe it ... Like you I thought he was a cool dude, I'm gonna pretend that I didn't see it

 

[Pin-seeker]

I couldn't believe it ... Like you I thought he was a cool dude, I'm gonna pretend that I didn't see it

I haven't felt like this since discovering Santa doesn't exist

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I love MAJ. One of may favourite players and even if he does have a "Mediterranean" temperament it just means he still cares

 

[PhilTheFragger]

When your a 20 handicapper its a miracle your after not hope lol. :fore:

Ah but there is a low teen handicapper in there somewhere, trying to get out

I can dream

Great to see an older guy with a Rioja gut beating the slim young things