Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez on Sunday became the oldest winner in European Tour history.
Only seven weeks away from his 49th birthday, Jimenez took the UBS Hong Kong Open for a third time with a one-stroke victory over Swede Fredrik Andersson Hed.
The former Ryder Cup player’s 19th Tour title – and 12th since he turned 40 – came without a single bogey in his last 54 holes. He finished with a 65 for 15 under par, Andersson Hed’s 64 having an agonising climax when a 12-foot birdie attempt on the last dribbled down the slope and lipped out.
Australian Marcus Fraser was third and joint fourth came Ireland’s Peter Lawrie, Scot Stephen Gallacher and 19-year-old Italian Matteo Manassero, last week’s Singapore Open champion.
New Zealander Michael Campbell, joint overnight leader with Jimenez, fell away to joint eighth. With a cigar in one hand and glass of red wine in the other, the 48-year-old Spaniard toasted his victory. This was his third win at the event – all since he turned 40.
“It’s always an honour to make records and I hope it’s not the last one,” said the Malaga golfer, nine months older than Ireland’s Des Smyth was when he lifted the 2001 Madeira Islands Open.
“I really love this place. You have to control the ball very well – it’s not a matter of distance – and I played very solid all through the week.”
