Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez won the UBS Hong Kong Open in a thrilling finish Sunday, firing a final round of 67 to push Sweden’s Robert Karlsson into a share of second place.
Jimenez emerged victorious after Karlsson made a disastrous double bogey on the final hole which saw him finally surrender the lead in the $2,25-million tournament.
It capped a poor day for the Swede, who had led by four shots overnight.
He and Jimenez came to the 18th tied on 16 under par but a poor second shot was followed by a fluffed pitch that saw the ball roll back off the green to near the Swede’s feet.
Jimenez found the green with his second shot but a poor first putt left him short and he missed for par, but bogey was good enough to secure the $370 000 first prize.
”I’m gonna smoke my cigar,” Jimenez replied when asked how he would celebrate his victory.
The Spaniard, who also won here in 2004, had five birdies and an eagle in his final round.
The challenge to overhaul Karlsson’s four-shot overnight lead had been led by South Korea’s KJ Choi, who moved to 14 under par after three birdies in the first four holes.
He briefly tied Karlsson by making eagle at the par five 13th but eventually finished tied second with the Swede and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, who fired a final round of 65 to climb up the field. – AFP
