Miguel Angel Jimenez at official launch of 2011 Andalucian Open

It’s been revealed Miguel Angel Jimenez has had to pump more than a Euro 1m of his own money to keep the sea-side Andalucian Open afloat.

Jimenez has been hosting the Malaga event starting tomorrow (THUR) for five years but at a severe financial lost to the 47-year old Spaniard.

The pony-tailed Spaniard, who gets about Malaga in an aging Ferrari, has earned more than Euro 17m in prize money in his European Tour career.

However since taking on the role of Andalucian tournament host in 2007 he is understood to have paid-in an average of Euro 250,000 a year.

Now Jimenez has had to part with a further Euro 200,000 to keep this year’s event being played on the Parador Malaga course from going under.

This despite the Turkish Airlines being signed as late as last week as the tournament’s major sponsor.

Turkish Airlines also back Bacelona and Manchester United and their involvement in the Andalucian Open coincides with the first-ever Instanbul to Malaga flight late next month.

“I have playing golf for 23 years and everything I have I owe to golf,” said Jimenez.

“But I am happy to do that because I want to see a European Tour event played here in Malaga.

“I want everything to be 100% right for the players and that is the main thing for me even though it can be difficult for me this week to focus fully on my game.”