Jimenez makes European Tour history

Spaniard becomes circuit’s oldest ever winner with Hong Kong Open victory

Still going strong: Miguel Angel Jimenez became the European Tour’s oldest winner by winning in Hong Kong

Miguel Angel Jimenez has become the oldest ever winner on the European Tour after taking the spoils in the UBS Hong Kong Open.

At 48 years and 318 days, the Spaniard has surpassed the previous record set by Des Smyth of Ireland who was 48 years and 38 days when he won the 2001 Madeira Islands Open.

“It’s very nice – I hope it’s not the last one,” said Jimenez, acknowledging the latest of his 19 European Tour wins. A five-under-par final round of 65 gave him a one-shot win over Fredrik Andersson Hed at the Hong Kong Golf Club. It was also Jimenez’ third win in this particular tournament.

He added: “I really love this place. I love the golf course. It’s a great golf course where you have to control the ball very well, it’s not a matter of distance.”

Asked about the secret of his longevity Jiménez, responded: “This is maybe the olive oil in my joints, and the nice Rioja wine and those things keep you fit and flexible.

“The most important thing is I do what I like to do in my life, and golf has given me all of this pleasure. Winning now, at 48, my goodness – 24 years I’ve been on the tour.

“I still love it and I think that is fantastic, to love what you’re doing, and enjoy yourself, keep fit, keep working myself a little bit and stretching a lot, and that’s the main thing to do to compete with the new guns.”

Whilst Jimenez was winning in the Far East, Sweden’s Henrik Stenson went some way towards putting his career back on track by taking his first European Tour title since 2007 in the SA Open Championship.

The two-time Ryder Cup player saw off a spirited charge from home hopeful George Coetzee to win golf’s second oldest professional tournament by three shots and secure his place in this week’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

“I’ve had to fight hard the last few years on the golf course and I’m very pleased to pick up this win,” he said.

“When it takes that long between wins you wonder if there will be another. You’ve just got to fight hard and put the work in. In this game you need to put a lot of effort in to get something back. I’m very relieved to have won this one.”

Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered