Jimenez on course again
Miguel Angel Jimenez wasted little time today putting himself in contention for yet another European tour victory.
After wins already this season in the Johnnie Walker Classic and Portuguese Open Jimenez moved to four under par after 15 holes of the Seville Open.
Second on the Order of Merit behind Ernie Els – the South African went top with his runners-up finish in the Masters on Sunday – the 30-year-old from Malaga turned in 34 and then pitched in for eagle at the long fifth.
He shared the lead at that moment with Essex’s Simon Khan, Kent’s Roger Chapman and Dane Soren Hansen.
Khan, with six top-10 finishes last year, actually reached six under but then double-bogeyed the short third, his 12th of the day.
Meanwhile, Jean Van de Velde, needing to finish 35th to keep his European tour card, managed only a one over 37 for his first nine holes.
The French star, runner-up to Paul Lawrie in the 1999 Open, has had serious knee trouble since and has granted seven extra tournaments this season to try to preserve his exempt status. This is the last of them.
