Miguel has his Spanish eyes on Senior Open title
MIGUEL ANGEL JIMÉNEZ fell just short of equalling the course record at Carnoustie yesterday but compensation for missing a six-foot putt at the last came in the form of a four-shot lead going into the last day of the Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex.
The 52-year-old plotted a serene path around one of the world’s mostchallenging courses, signing for a bogeyfree 65 to ignite his quest for the Major that has eluded him up to now.
Jiménez, a man with a taste for the good life, puffed on a deserved celebratory cigar after shooting his best-of-the-week score for an 11 under par total of 205. With Joe Durant dropping a shot at the last, the popular Spaniard’s cushion grew to four strokes over three Americans in Durant, Tom Byrum and Wes Short Jnr and the leading British contender, Paul Broadhurst.
Ryder Cup player Broadhurst, making his debut in the Senior Open, followed a majestic back nine of 30 in the second round by carding a four under par 68 in the third for a 54-hole total of 209. He now goes head-to-head with Jiménez in the final group.
Jiménez conceded that winning a first Major would represent a huge achievement in a career which only truly went stratospheric after he turned 40 in 2004. He said: “It would mean a lot. If I win – in Scotland, the Home of Golf – it would be amazing. Tomorrow we will see.”
The only player to reach ‘double digits’ during the week, Jiménez made the game look simple, as only he can. Almost every shot arrowed in on its target with unerring accuracy and the round was summed up by the final two holes of Carnoustie’s famously tough finish.
Jiménez sent a four iron soaring onto the 17th green for a birdie – his seventh of a wonderfully composed round – and struck an imperious five iron to six feet at the last. The putt stayed above ground, but failed to dampen the spirits of the Spanish conquistador.
“It was a very nice day on the golf course,” agreed Jiménez. “I played very solid from tee to green. Everything was working perfectly today. I played the last two holes beautifully so I am happy with my day and the score, despite not making the last putt for a 64.”
The Spaniard is noted for his unconventional approach to life and had no doubt how he would prepare for one of the biggest days of his golfing career.
He said: “I’m going to do exactly the same things I’ve done in previous nights – go for dinner with friends, have a nice bottle of Rioja, a fat cigar and a nice malt whisky.”