Spain’s Jimenez earns first major
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Miguel Angel Jimenez finally got to light up a victory cigar after winning a senior major championship.
Jimenez won the Regions Tradition Sunday for his first PGA Tour Champions major title, closing with a 2-under 70 for a three-stroke victory. He celebrated with a big embrace from fellow Spaniard and two-time Masters winner Jose Maria Olazabal, who hoisted him in the air.
After a round of photos and speeches from local dignitaries, Jimenez finally got to break out the celebratory cigar.
“It’s time to have a medal in my pocket and it’s nice to be on the first major of the year,” he said.
Jimenez held or shared the lead after every round, taking a three-shot edge into the final round at Greystone Golf & Country Club. The Spaniard finished at 19-under 269 for his fifth PGA Tour Champions victory.
“It’s been a wonderful week,” he said. “My game was amazing, really.”
Steve Stricker, Joe Durant and Gene Sauers tied for second.
It was the third time Jimenez had entered the final round of a senior major with at least a share of the lead but the first one he has pulled out. He tied for third at the 2016 Senior British Open and for second at the 2016 U.S. Senior Open.
Durant and Sauers finished with matching 69s, and Stricker shot 70.
Jimenez birdied two of the final three holes including a closing putt for good measure.