JIMENEZ SHINES AS OLDEST EUROPEAN TOUR WINNER
HONG KONG: Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez became the oldest winner in the history of the European Tour after he triumphed at the $2-million UBS Hong Kong Open on Sunday for a third time.
Kong Golf Club. He only made two bogeys all week— both in the first round on Thursday. He pockets 260,638.04 euros ($333,000) and adds the title to victories in Hong Kong in 2004 and 2007.
“This is a great place, I love to come here. I like the place, I like the city, especially I like the golf course. It’s a golf course that is not long, you need to play the game and keep focus, keep patient,” said Jimenez.
“Next year will be my 25th year on the tour, but I still love it. This is the key: love what you are doing and enjoy yourself.”
It was Jimenez’s 19th European Tour victory. His last was in 2010 at the European Masters.
The 40-year-old Andersson Hed might have forced a play-off with a birdie at the last, but could only watch in agony as his putt lipped out of the hole.
“I think it was probably the best I’ve ever played under pressure when you’re in this situation and you can win a tournament. But unfortunately I couldn’t get it all the way there, but it was close,” he said.
“It was a pity I couldn’t get one of the putts on the last two holes to put a little bit more pressure on Miguel on the last hole. He did fantastic, though, so all credit to Miguel.”
Australia’s Marcus Fraser rocketed five places up the leaderboard with his final-round 64 to finish third overall, two shots behind Andersson Hed and three behind Jimenez.
Italian sensation Matteo Manassero, who at one stage in the final round got within a single shot of the leader, was joint fourth on 11-under, together with Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher and Irishman Peter Lawrie.
Matt Kuchar, of the United States, was seventh on nine-under.
Campbell’s championship assault faded badly on the last day. He ended tied eighth with Pablo Larrazabal after the strapping Kiwi carded a disappointing 72.