Miguel Angel Jimenez became the first person to complete the full set of BMW trophies with his victory at the second extra-hole at the BMW PGA Championship on Sunday.
Following on from his BMW International Open and BMW Asian Open victories in 2004, Jimenez was made to work for his 15th career victory by England’s Oliver Wilson who joined the Spaniard on 11 under after the 72 holes of regulation play. Both players had vied for the lead over the last 9 holes with first one man and then the other surging into the lead and then falling back as the West course at Wentworth bared its teeth.
The scores were surprisingly low given the fairly benign conditions over the first 2 days but the prevailing winds meant that the course played far longer than its 7320 yards over the weekend. With the punitive rough, accuracy off the tee was at a premium with driving accuracy leader for the event Paul McGinley taking his 1 shot lead after the first round and with some spectacular putting – including one for an eagle at the 18th – converting it into a 4 shot lead over Swede Robert Karlsson at the half way point. The second round also saw a new course record of 63 by Tour rookie Robert Dinwiddie which also happened to be his best individual round of the event by 15 shots.
The increasingly harsh conditions meant that McGinley could not maintain his standard of play and followed his opening rounds of 65 and 66 with a 79 – his worst score of the year. Unfortunately for the Irishman, one of those people that seemed to cope best with the gusting wind was his playing partner as Karlsson ground his way to a four stroke lead after the third round.
The last round started in heavy showers with just enough wind to affect ballflight but slowly the sun came out and the last. Of the earlier starters Andres Romero was the most notable, scoring birdies at all of the first 5 holes. Another name of note was Luke Donald who played superb golf all the way round for a 65 and the best round of the day.
Karlsson was put under immediate pressure as he bogeyed the first and the third. He never seemed to get into gear and struggled all day with first Wilson and then Jimenez overtaking him as the leader. Jimenez’ cause was helped no end by a glorious hole-in-one, sinking his ace at the imposing 212 yard 5th. The leading group were always within one or two shots or each other and appeared ready to set up a thrilling finale but Karlsson seemed to be fading. Karlsson’s travails were typified but his play on the final hole. Having hit a majestic wedge shot to 4 feet to get on the green in regulation and needing a birdie to get into the play-off, the Swede then 3 putted to drop back into joint third.
Both Wilson and Jimenez gave a sparkling display of ball striking all day but both started to feel the pressure on the final few holes most noticeably when Wilson sprayed his drive on the par 5 17th so badly that he had to take a penalty drop and when Jimenez duffed a chip on 18 when an up and down would have given him the birdie he needed for victory. When Jimenez sank his par putt, the playoff was just him and Wilson.
Both players had been persistent bridesmaids going in this playoff as both had been in 3 previous playoffs and both times both players had lost. After both paring their first extra-hole visit to the 18th hole, Jimenez birdie it on the second attempt while Wilson watched as his birdie putt skirted agonisingly close but finally miss for Jimenez to take the title.
Your Reaction?- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0