Jiménez triumphs on Champions Tour debut

Miguel Angel Jiménez became only the third player in history to record a wire to wire victory on his Champions Tour debut when he held off Bernhard Langer at the Greater Gwinnet Championship.

Having become only the second Spaniard, after José María Cañizares, to win on the Champions Tour, Jiménez swiftly shifted his focus back to securing a Ryder Cup place.

Coming off a fourth place finish in the Masters, the 50 year old closed with a round of 67 to finish two shots clear of Langer on 14 under par. In a superb display at TPC Sugarloaf, Jiménez covered his last 32 holes without recording a single bogey.

In an impressive showing by European Senior Tour Members, David Frost tied for fifth place, Colin Montgomerie finished in a tie for eighth place and Roger Chapman in joint 16th.

Jiménez’s attentions now turn to his bid to reach another milestone by becoming the oldest player in history to represent Europe in The Ryder Cup.

“To me it’s not about money,” said Jimenez, whose next European Tour appearance will be in the Open de España at PGA Catalunya Resort from May 15-18, before making his European Senior Tour debut in The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in July.

“It’s about different goals to make me feel proud of myself. For me, it would be fantastic to play in The Ryder Cup once more.

“I showed my game is in very good shape. I’m very happy with my age and the way I’m doing things. The last 15 years have been the best years of my career. It’s nice – I’ve got no complaints with being 50.”

Defending champion Langer shot his third successive round of 68 to finish on 12 under par.

“I had a number of opportunities, but just couldn’t make any putts today,” he said. “And Miguel played very, very solid all day.

“He said he wasn’t going to play anymore on the Champions Tour this year because he wants to be the oldest European to play in The Ryder Cup. That’s his goal, but goals can sometimes change. Who knows, maybe he makes the Ryder Cup team by July and he’ll decide to come out for a couple of weeks.”