Golf:Miguel Angel Jimenez produced the lowest round of his 27-year European Tour career in Switzerland today. Two eagles and six birdies gave the 46-year-old Ryder Cup star a 10 under par 61 in the Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre and he goes into the weekend with a three-stroke lead.
Jimenez, making his 22nd successive visit to the Alpine resort, had a chance of the Tour’s first-ever 59 when he reached the 16th tee needing two more birdies. But the Spaniard, who has had 10 of his 17 victories on the circuit since turning 40, had to be content with parring all three remaining holes for a 14 under halfway total of 128.
More good news for Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie was that Italian Edoardo Molinari, the only other member of his side playing in the event, lies joint second with 17-year-old compatriot Matteo Manassero.
Molinari, handed a wild card after his win in the Johnnie Walker Championship
at Gleneagles last Sunday, added a 65 to his opening 66. First round leader Manassero, trying to become the Tour’s youngest-ever winner in only his sixth event as a professional, chipped in for eagle at the long 15th in his 67.
But the day belonged to a player who made his Tour debut 10 years before Manassero was even born.
“It was a beautiful day in the mountains,” said Jimenez, playing his 535th Tour event. “I was thinking 59 a little bit and I tried, but it was still a great round. All the clubs were working properly and that’s what you need.”