Big Mig wants big gig

Jimenez: plans to help rookies

I feel I am strong enough and if my golf is good enough on the week, I'm fit enough and I have the energy, then I could play all the five matches.

Miguel Angel Jimenez
Quotes of the week

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Veteran Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez wants to play all five series in the Ryder Cup despite being the oldest man on the European team.

The 44-year-old BMW PGA champion is keen to play a leading role in his third Ryder Cup, in a team that includes four rookies.

Jimenez, who was Seve Ballesteros' vice-captain in the 1997 Ryder Cup and played on the team in 1999 and 2004, said he would be helping out the Cup debutants at Valhalla.

"I am the oldest one in the team. Although we have Padraig (Harrington) and Sergio (Garcia) with a lot of experience, I will be doing everything I can to help the four rookies," Jimenez said.

"I feel I am strong enough and if my golf is good enough on the week, I'm fit enough and I have the energy, then I could play all the five matches.

Honest

"But you have to be fair, you have to be honest about your play and your fitness because it's not you you are playing for, it's the team."

Jimenez said he would be able to play with any of the other 11 players, including rookie Oliver Wilson, the Englishman he beat in a play-off for Europe's flagship title, the PGA Championship, at Wentworth earlier this year.

"Ollie's a nice player and good addition to the team and it would be nice to play with him," the Spaniard added.

The week's main talking point has been Nick Faldo's selection of Ian Poulter and Paul Casey as his wildcards ahead of Darren Clarke and Colin Montgomerie.

Right decision

Jimenez has played on Ryder Cup teams with all four and is happy with his captain's picks. "Why are you surprised?," he asked reporters. "I think Darren Clarke would deserve to be on the team too, but you only have two picks. Nick Faldo has made his decision and I think he made the right decision."

Jimenez is the only one of the 12 European Ryder Cup players in action at this week's European Masters in Switzerland, but with his place on the team long-since assured, 'The Mechanic' has not played since missing the cut at the USPGA Championship three weeks ago.