Jimenez aces his way to BMW PGA victory
IN: News | European PGA | BMW PGA Championship (2008) | Round Four | by Bruce Young | 26 May 2008
Miguel Angel Jimenez has won his 15th European Tour event and arguably his most significant when he defeated Oliver Wilson at the second hole of a playoff to secure the BMW PGA Championship at the Wentworth Golf Club.
Arguably, because some may suggest his victory at the 1999 Volvo Masters was as significant but against the field assembled this week and in an event of such European Tour status, this probably gets the nod.
Jimenez converted some good recent form, more especially when he produced a brilliant final round of 67 at Augusta to finish 8th and then a 4th placing in Spain three weeks ago.
Jimenez’s final round of 68 was highlighted by a hole in one at the par three 5th hole, sweeping him into a share of the lead with Wilson at that point and by the time the pair made the turn they were locked at 11 under and two ahead of Robert Karlsson and Luke Donald.
Donald finished his final round more than two hours ahead of the final pairing on the golf course and sat in the clubhouse at 9 under and two behind the lead after his round of 65 had moved him from 23rd to a potential winning position.
Jimenez and Wilson traded blows through the back nine until they walked to the 17th tee to tackle the consecutive par fives to finish at Wentworth. At that point Wilson was at 12 under and one ahead but he would bogey the 17th and when both were unable to birdie the final hole, the event was headed for a playoff.
Jimenez appeared to have the edge when he found the green at the par five 18th – the first of the playoff holes – but three putted from long range. Back to the same hole once again, Jimenez found the fairway and then the green with his second while Wilson was forced to lay up and could not match the Spaniard’s two putt birdie.
The victory, Jimenez’s first on English soil, was worth an amazing €750,000 to Jimenez and moved him to the top of the European Tour money list. Wilson, still looking for his first win on the European Tour, is consoled by the fact that he now sits in 2nd position on that money list after pocketing a huge €500,000 cheque today.
54 hole leader, Robert Karlsson, gave himself a chance when he birdied the 16th, moving to 10 under and within one and with two par fives to come he may well have fancied his chances of snatching victory. Alas he would bogey the final hole and shared third with Donald.
Jyoti Randhawa finished alone in 5th place just ahead of a group in 6th which included Richard Green, Retief Goosen, Alexander Noren and Andres Romero.
Green was the leading Australian earning a cheque for €125,000 in the process. Marcus Fraser was 34th while Peter O’Malley was the only other Australian to make the cut and finished 46th.
European Tour now head to the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales for this week’s Celtic Manor Wales Open.
