Golf news: Miguel Angel Jimenez, the new crowned King of the Omega European Masters
The betting list predicted right; Miguel Angel Jimenez did end in the top-three. Not just any of the top-threes, he took the first spot of the leader-board last Sunday after posting 21 under 263.
He was the leader of the second round and predictions were that if he remains steadfast, he will win the tournament and this is what happened. Jimenez won the Omega European master that was taking place at the Crans-sur-Sierre in the Swiss Alps by three strokes.
The last week's winner at the Johnnie walker championship Edoardo Molinari, carded 18 under to claim the top 2 position of the leader-board. The interesting part of the Sunday Fiesta was that all hopes were with this 29-year –old. He was confident throughout the front nine sessions and half of the back nine, which was evident from his game till the 16th hole. However, after that he fell for a bogey at the 16th hole of the back nine and could not get up until the last moment. Ultimately he lost by three strokes to the Spaniard.
The 46-year-old Spaniard who now is the winner, was six clear with seven to play before the 16th hole. Looking at his lead of three strokes being slashed off to one got him worried initially but when the Ryder Cup teammate smashed the 16th tee shot into the tree, Jimenez jumped in excitement. Right after Jimenez got stuck in the fairway bunker when his try for the birdie failed, he got chipped. But thanks to his expertise on the short game, he managed to use the wedge and got himself out. On the other side, Molinari took the second shot from the 17th fairway and landed in the green side bunker. Bogey for one was evident, as the Italian took a shot aimed towards uphill right, and the strategy to reach the pin was managing the shot with a certain angle that it skips the two bunkers that were on the both sides of the pin.
The event was Jimenez’s 22nd visit to Crans-sur-Sierre, and interestingly a successful one as well. From the time he laid his eyes on the trophy to the time he finally held it in his hand, Jimenez was determined and it could be seen from his powerful strokes and accuracy of driving. Moreover, he demonstrated a fine form right from his top 7th finish at the Czech open to the top 3rd finish at last week’s tournament. It was easy to forecast a victory for the 46-year-old, when he scored 61 in the second round of the Omega European Masters. However, his chances were being deviated to Edoarda and Matteo’s court, who ultimately finished at the second and the third positions on the final day.
Jimenez has become the eighth oldest winner in European Tour history, and the first one to record three victories this year. Jimenez turned forty six years back, and ever since he has won eleven titles out of eighteen. To make it better he has banked on £8million as compared to £5million, which he earned altogether in 22 years of his professional career. As for this tournament, he has recorded two top-second finishes earlier, along with several top tens but one thing was common in these 22 visits, and that was his constant improvement in Green hits in regulations. He rose from 57% to 70% in this time period.
Summing it up, Miguel Angel Jimenez has won the Omega European Masters and the winner prize of $43,333 by carding a score of 21 under on the leader-board. He was followed by Edoardo Molinari and Matteo Manessero. At the end of the day the statement which someone said about the Spaniard holds true that, “Jimenez is like a vintage wine, which only gets better with time.” Looking at last Sunday’s performance, it seems to be cent percent true.
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