Jimenez Red-Hot in Champions Tour Debut


Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez got his inaugural Champions Tour off to a rousing start. The Spaniard, who turned 50 in January, fired a 7-under 65 to take a three-stroke lead in the Greater Gwinnett Championship. The $1.8 million, 54-hole event began Friday at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, Ga.

Jimenez, who finished fourth in last week's Masters and carded the major championship's low round - a 6-under 66 on Saturday, is a 20-time winner on the European Tour. After starting play on the 10th tee, the superior ball-striker with the ponytail showed why he's had so much success, carding five birdies and an eagle on the par-5 18th (his ninth hole).

No. 32 in the latest World Golf Ranking, Jimenez is the planet's highest-ranked player over the age of 50. He won the Hong Kong Open in December at age 49.

"What do you want me to say?" Jimenez told PGATour.com Friday afternoon after his fine start. "I love it."

Known as the Mechanic and with a penchant for fine cigars and red wine, the easygoing Jimenez added, "Time for a nice warm shower, a nice fat cigar."

Sharing second after 68s are Steve Pate, the ageless Bernhard Langer - who finished eighth at Augusta National and reigning Charles Schwab Cup champion Kenny Perry. Langer is back to defend his title in the Greater Gwinnett tournament.

Sharing fifth after 69s are Fred Couples and Jeff Sluman, on a day when rain fell but wasn't strong enough to halt play.

Canada's Rod Spittle, Scotland's Colin Montgomerie and Americans P.H. Horgan III and Jeff LeMaster all shot 70s.

Couples figures Jimenez has a bright future on the over-50 circuit if the Spaniard decides to play in the States. "Everyone knows how to play, but he's not going to make many mistakes and he's a great putter and has a great short game," Couples said Thursday.

Added two-time Masters champion Langer, who's searching for his 20th victory on the Champions Tour this week, "He's certainly one of the best over-50 players in the world, no doubt about it.

"He's going to be one of the dominant players wherever he goes . . . If he decides to play here, he'll be one of the main competitors every week."

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/champions/leaderboard.html.