Miguel Angel Jimenez already enjoys the tag of being ‘The Oldest Winner’ twice on the European Tour and now he has set out to surpass the record for a firt time and by more than three years.
Jimenez along with England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Aussie Scott Hend head the opening round of the European Masters with six-under 64s on the Alpine Crans-sur-Sierre course.
The Spaniard has taken a break from the US Champions Tour to return to the Crans-sur-Sierre course when he won by three strokes in 2010.
Miguel Angel Jimenez stands tall on day one of he 2017 European Masters. (Photo – Gettys/European Tour)
Jimenez is the oldest winner on the European Tour having celebrated his 21st Tour win in capturing the 2014 Spanish Open then aged 50 years and 133 days.
And this was some six weeks after Jimenez had first become the Tour’s oldest winner with victory in the Hong Kong Open.
Now the 53 years, eighth months and two days old pony-tailed, cigar-smoking, Ferrari-loving Jimenez has brilliantly ignited hopes of again proving age is no barrier’.
“When you hit it good, nothing is difficult,” he said.
Miguel Angel Jimenez on route to a 64 on the first day of the 2017 European Masters. (Photo – Gettys/European Tour).
“Nothing ever is easy but if you’re playing well, hitting good, that’s what you need to shoot low. I always enjoy to come here, it’s an amazing place. It’s amazing to come here every year and see the people you know from so many years in this place.
“The golf course is a great golf course. I’m playing well, we’ll see what happens. Six under par 64 is amazing, I’m playing very well.
“I woke up very early this morning and got the profit of that. I’m playing solid, I’m feeling nice and motivated.”
Hatton capped his round by holing his second shot for eagle at the short par four, 12th hole while the big-hitting Hend lost out in a play-off a year ago.
And Lee Westwood, who is celebrating his 500th Tour event, carded a one-over 71.
