Golden oldie determined to enjoy game
Jimenez says even though it is difficult to keep pace with young guns, he still wants to give his best
Dubai: At 40, when most golfers normally start to fade, Miguel Angel Jimenez decided to take on the glaring flashbulbs. The result: He added nine more titles, including this year's Omega Dubai Desert Classic, and now has a total of 16 European Tour trophies to his name.
Jimenez claimed a major share of his successes after turning 40. At 46, his career is starting to show signs of a slowdown, but the trophies keep crawling into his cabinet.
Sunday's final Classic round at Emirates Golf Club was a good example of how he does it.
European No 1 Lee Westwood, playing with much aggression, forced a play-off when he birdied the 72nd.
Westwood carried that form into the play-off, but Jimenez made sure he did just enough to keep himself in contention over the first two extra holes where they both took pars.
However, on the third and final hole, as Westwood failed to save par from six feet, Jimenez kept his calm to hole it from four.
The par was enough for him to claim the $2.5 million tournament he had come close to winning in the past, and as he spoke at the press conference later, he revealed that though it was getting tough to win, winning still hadn't become outright impossible for veterans of the game.
Comfortable
"Playing like this [in Dubai], I was comfortable and good on the golf course, that is the key. I know I am not 25 or 30. I just turned 46, but I'm healthy and still strong, not like 25, but still strong and can play with the ball. When you feel happy on the golf course and can focus, you can win tournaments," said Jimenez, who turned professional in 1982.
"It's difficult with these new guns like Rory McIlroy, Alvaro Quiros and Lee Westwood. These guys hit the ball long off the tee; it's an advantage for them and it's going to make it more difficult for guys like me who are in their 40s, that's normal. It's just the way it is, but I'm still here."
Jimenez's best performance at the Majors has been tied-second at the 2000 US Open. Victory in Dubai is sure to carry him into the Top-50 in the world and make him eligible for several top tournaments, including the Majors. And he says he is thrilled to have the opportunity to play alongside the best.
"My goals are more or less the same to enjoy myself, focus on the golf course and everything will follow, that is what I try to do. From the Top-50 in the world I'll be able to play different tournaments. I was around 60, which was enough to get me into Match Play, but not enough for Doral and now Doral is going to be there. There's still time for the US Open, but staying in the Top-50 will be the key to get in all of the Majors.
"Majors are something players want to win in their careers and I'm still working and doing my things. I'm still playing in those Majors, and I hope I have another chance to be on the top of the leaderboard and win a tournament. I would love to have that opportunity in my career."
Factfile
Name: Miguel Angel Jimenez
Nickname: The Mechanic
Date of birth: January 5, 1964
Height: 5ft 10in
Nationality: Spanish
Residence: Malaga, Spain
Turned pro: 1982
Professional wins: 19 (European Tour 16)
