Jimenez is oldest European Tour winner

HONG KONG: Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez held off the rampaging Fredrik Andersson Hed to win the $2 million UBS Hong Kong Open on Sunday by one shot and become the oldest winner on the European Tour at age 48.
The Swede surged into contention with a six-under-par 64 for a four-day total of 14-under-par 266. But Jimenez, the overnight co-leader, clung on. He carded a final-round 65 to take the trophy home by the most slender of margins.
It brought up a hat-trick of Hong Kong victories for Jimenez, who was also victorious at Fanling in 2004 and 2007.
With Andersson Hed finishing before the overnight joint leaders of Jimenez and the 2005 US Open winner Michael Campbell of New Zealand, the cigar-chomping Spaniard knew he only had to make par at the 18th for a historic victory.
“I saw Andersson had a 14-under-par and I knew I just had to concentrate, keep my pace, keep my rhythm and keep hitting the ball the way I was hitting it,” said Jimenez, who had exuded confidence as he strode along the 18th fairway.
“It’s an honor to make a record,” he added. “And I hope it isn’t the last one.”
Jimenez, at 48 years and 318 days, beats the previous oldest winner on the European Tour. That was Des Smyth, who was 48 years and 34 days when he triumphed at the 2001 Madeira Islands Open.
Jimenez, a vice-captain for Europe’s victorious team at the Ryder Cup at Medinah, was a picture of consistency, carding rounds of 65, 67, 68 and 65 at the par-70 Hong Kong Golf Club.
He only made two bogeys all week — both in the first round on Thursday. He pockets 260,638.04 euros ($333,000).
Australia’s Marcus Fraser rocketed five places up the leaderboard with his final-round 64 to finish third overall, two shots behind Andersson Hed and three behind Jimenez.
Italian sensation Matteo Manassero, who at one stage in the final round got within just a single shot of the leader, was joint fourth on 11-under, together with Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher and the Irishman Peter Lawrie.
Matt Kuchar, of the United States, was seventh on nine-under.
Campbell’s championship assault faded badly on the last day. He ended tied eighth with Pablo Larrazabal after the strapping Kiwi carded a disappointing 72.