Golf: Mighty Miguel clinches thriller

Nov 19 2007 Western Mail

MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ graciously accepted his second Hong Kong Open title in three years after claiming a thrilling final-hole and one-stroke victory over Robert Karlsson on the European Tour.

Jimenez held his nerve after missing two putts on the 18th green to finish with a bogey which still gave him a one-stroke victory with a 15-under-par total.

Overnight leader Karlsson stumbled to a two-over-par 72 – undone by a double-bogey at the last – which allowed Jimenez to overtake him with a 67 and relegated the Swede to second place alongside Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and South Korea’s KJ Choi.

The Spaniard’s first victory at Fanling in 2004 also featured a last-hole drama when South Africa’s James Kingston, tied for the lead, hooked his tee shot into the trees and out of bounds.

“It’s very nice to win a tournament again, I played well throughout the week and I am very pleased,” said Jimenez, who claimed his 14th European Tour title and first since the Celtic Manor Wales Open in June 2005.