Jimenez swaps wedding plans for Gleneagles
SPAIN’S Miguel Angel Jimenez has performed an 11th-hour U-turn and decided to compete at Gleneagles this week in the hope of securing his Ryder Cup place.
Jimenez had planned to skip the Johnnie Walker Championship, the last chance for European players to earn qualifying points, in order to attend his nephew’s wedding.
But Peter Hanson’s triumph at the Czech Open on Sunday, which pushed Jimenez down to ninth in the rankings, the last automatic spot, has made him reconsider.
Three players – Englishmen Simon Dyson and Ross McGowan and compatriot Alvaro Quiros – could potentially leapfrog Jimenez and snatch his top-nine place at Gleneagles.
That would leave the Andalucian needing a wildcard pick from captain Colin Montgomerie to feature in October’s clash with the United States at Celtic Manor.
Instead he hopes a strong showing in Perthshire this weekend will ensure that the 2008 Ryder Cup does not turn out to be his last. His manager said: “Miguel feels this is likely to be his last opportunity to play in the match.”