Spanish Rebel: Miguel Angel Jimenez
I have always really dug this pony-tailed, somewhat eccentric guy from Spain, Miguel Angel Jimenez, not only for his amazing golf game but also for his swashbuckling ways and love of life – including fine wines and expensive cigars. (Reminds me a bit of his American counterpart I wrote about – Who the Heck is Tommy Armour III?)
So I set out to find out a bit about the man they call, “the mechanic” (named for his preference for repairing rather than racing his suite of high performance vehicles)
Funny, I remember him very specifically hitting balls at the (then) GHO in Hartford, CT hitting his 7 iron to about 175 yards. I mean I saw him hit about 50 balls and he hit almost all of them stiff at the flag! it really was amazing to witness.
Miguel Angel Jimenez was born in 1964 (now 46 years old) in Malaga, Spain*. He first turned pro in 1982 and secured his first win at the Belgian Open in 1992.
All told he has 16 European wins with his most recent at the Dubai Desert Classic (February 2010) beating Lee Westwood in a playoff.
As for majors he has been sporadic at best (although he did finish a VERY respectable tie for 12th at this years 2010 Masters). His best finish being a 2nd place at the 1991 US Open.
So what makes Jimenez such a solid player and enable him to earn 5 million+ in his career so far? well, for one, he is an extremely accurate driver of the golf ball (finishing in the top 25 last year and 2009 being his highest earning season ever with over 1 million + in earnings. He also has an excellent short game.
As he said about the 2009 season: “It’s very difficult to imagine another season like that, but I’m like the good wines. Getting better with age.” well said.
Jimenez is just one of those players that seem like a throwback from another era. Just doing his own thing (reminds me of Trevino) with a freshness of spirit and bravado in an increasing roster of dull and cookie cutter players to professional golf.
PS: MAJ has has a facebook fan page
*Check out more about: Golf in Spain
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Comments
[...] Angel Jimenez, now there’s a guy I’d love to see win. He plays the game as only a Spaniard can, buy sucking every last bit of life out of it. He’s craftily good. Maybe he doesn’t lead the tour in any statistics but this guy can put it together from time to time. Out of the top 6 he’s my favorite. He’s also the guy I’d most like to have supper with – eat, drink and be merry while you can! [...]
First met him in 90′s in Majorca practising for Golf Open de Espana – practising at Son Vida (I think) demonstrating for us and talking the shot with us for several holes.
Then this year at Alhaurin Golf in March where he gave up his time to coach the Juniors – he showed wonderful patience and made the youngster’s day. I took many photos and he was very patient and cooperative. Having congratulated him on his win earlier in the year him was very pleasant and shook my hand whilst saying thank you.
Later that month at the Parador for the competition there – he was on the putting green but still had time to nod as he apparently remembered me.
A gentleman of the first water who is a credit of our game.
I look forward to watching him for quite a few years to come – both on course and on TV.