Miguel Angel Jimenez gets off to fast start at Muirfield
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Veteran Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, fit again after breaking his leg in a skiing accident, could be the surprise package at Muirfield this week.
Jimenez opened his Open account with a splendid 3-under-par 68 and is hopeful that at the ripe old age of 49 he can land his first major and become the first Spanish major victor since the late great Seve Ballesteros a quarter of a century ago.
He said: “It would be great if one of the Spanish players win the tournament and, if it’s myself, even better. But you never know what’s going to happen – there are three more rounds to go.
“Obviously I would love to win a major but I’m 49 and don’t have long left on the main Tour so I don’t know. I will keep competing as long as I can against all the youngsters.”
Jimenez is a wily golfer and his vast experience could well stand him in good stead at Muirfield. And he clearly plans to carry on enjoying himself – on and off the course – and that includes continuing on the piste. “Do you give up anything you enjoy yourself?” he smiled.
He also revealed he would love to have another crack at the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles next year, saying: “I would love and if I get my opportunity and my chance to play, I would love to play. I’d be the first 50-years-old to play in the Ryder Cup!
“But at the moment I don’t think about it – I just think about The Open.”
