Miguel Angel Jimenez shares early lead at Omega European Masters
Thursday 7 September 2017 18:14, UK
Miguel Angel Jimenez rolled back the years to fire an opening-round 64 and grab a share of the lead at the Omega European Masters.
The 53-year-old - the oldest winner in European Tour history - mixed seven birdies with a sole blemish at Crans-sur-Sierre to join fellow morning starters Tyrrell Hatton and Scott Hend on six under.
Scottish pair Duncan Stewart and David Drysdale sit in the group one off the pace, while last year's winner Alex Noren began his title defence with a level-par 70.
Beginning on the back nine, Jimenez bounced back from a blemish at the 11th to birdie the next and followed back-to-back gains from the 14th with another at the par-four 18th.
Jimenez added successive gains from the second and made a two-putt birdie from six feet at the driveable seventh on his way to setting the clubhouse target.
"I played well, hit it good and that's what you need to shoot low," Jimenez told Sky Sports. "I always enjoy coming here, it's an amazing place."
Playing in the group behind, Hatton holed out from the 12th fairway for eagle on his way to reaching the turn in 30 and cancelled out a bogey-five at the first with gains at the sixth and seventh.
Hatton carded two-putt pars over his closing two holes to stay at six under, as Hend birdied two of his last three to make it a three-way tie at the top.
Drysdale held a share of the advantage until a penultimate hole blemish saw him close a five-under 65, as Stewart - the first player out in the morning - and Thongchai Jaidee signed for blemish-free cards to join the share of fourth.
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Todd Sinnott, Darren Fichardt and Ryan Fox complete the group on five under, while Daniel Im fired a hole-in-one at the par-three eighth - the 999th ace in European Tour history - on his way top a four-under 66.
Matthew Fitzpatrick posted a three-under 67 and former world No 1 Luke Donald lies in the group four strokes back, as Lee Westwood marked his 500th European Tour appearance with an opening-round 71.
Watch the Omega European Masters throughout the week live on Sky Sports Golf. Live coverage continues on Friday from 10.30am.
