Jiménez holds off Italian duo to delight Crans fans
Miguel Ángel Jiménez finally triumphed at the picturesque alpine course he loves yesterday, scoring victory at the Omega European Masters at his 22nd attempt with a display that will surely have left Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie tickled pink.
To win at Crans-sur-Sierre, the 46-year-old Spaniard had to see off a spirited challenge from Edoardo Molinari, another Ryder Cup team-mate - while Matteo Manassero, surely a likely candidate for a future Ryder, finished in third place, thus guaranteeing his card for the European Tour next year.
Jiménez shot a final round of four-under-par 67 to finish 21-under for the tournament, three strokes ahead of Molinari, who also shot 67 on his final round. Molinari appeared to be closing the gap on Jiménez as his round progressed, an eagle on the 15th meaning the 29-year-old lay only a stroke behind the leader with three shots left.
That left Jiménez initially looking vulnerable on the par three 16th, the Spaniard hitting a tree with his tee shot. Yet having done enough to see his cigar-chomping rival wobble, it was Molinari whose chances went up in smoke on the 16th. Jiménez recovered well to level the hole, while the world No. 15 could only find a bogey. That immediately took the pressure off Jiménez, who birdied the 17th and finished with another par to guarantee victory.
"I made a good recovery at the 16th - that was probably the key," said Jiménez following a quick celebratory dip in the pond next to the final green. "I love to come here. It's not only my two times as runner-up, it's the amount of times I have finished top ten and been in contention, so it means a lot."
Jiménez was understandably elated to secure a first victory at the tournament he hasn't missed once in more than two decades. This is Jiménez's third win of the season, and he's the first player on the European Tour to rack up a trio of wins this year - the last player to make that achievement was Paul Casey, back in 2006. The win is Jiménez's 18th career victory, and underlines his impressive form as he gears up for a likely Ryder Cup swansong.
The absent captain Montgomerie must be equally pleased with the form his team have been showing of late, too. Since the beginning of August, five of his Ryder Cup side have enjoyed victory, most notable of whom was Germany's Martin Kaymer, who triumphed at the PGA Championship.
But besides Jiménez's win this week there have also been victories for England's Ross Fisher at the Irish Open, Sweden's Peter Hanson at the Czech Open and Edoardo Molinari's win at Gleneagles last week that convinced Monty to include the Italian as a wildcard pick.
As encouraging as those performances are for Montgomerie's trip to Celtic Manor in October though, the aforementioned 17-year-old Manassero looks to offer a glimpse of European golf's more long term future. Manassero shot three-under 68 yesterday for a total of 16-under that saw him finish above talented players like Korea's Seung-yul Noh and South Africa's Charl Schwartzel, fourth and fifth respectively.
That third place finish meant the former British Amateur Champion picked up a cheque for £102,000 - meaning his earnings for the season had topped £200,000, the figure Manassero needed to reach in order to clinch a Tour card for next season.
"I am a full member for the first time. It was my goal and what I wanted to do and now I am here," said Manassero, who has attained his objective in just six appearances on the tour this year - he only turned pro in May.
While the current European crew are looking like excellent value for a win in October, maybe, just maybe Manassero can establish himself on the team in time for 2012.
Tags: