'Surprise' third win for Jimenez as Dyson slumps

MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ enjoyed a "surprise" triumph in the BMW Asian Open in Shanghai after making light work of Simon Dyson's six-shot overnight lead.

'Surprise' third win for Jimenez as Dyson slumps

Jimenez shot a five-under 67 to finish on 14 under, three shots ahead of the 26-year-old Englishman.

Four birdies in the opening 10 holes allowed the Spanish Ryder Cup star overtake Dyson who endured a torrid time to card a 76.

An eagle at the par-five 13th and a birdie at the last consolidated Jimenez's advantage to make bogeys at the fourth and 17th irrelevant.

Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng briefly held the lead after picking up five shots after 11 holes but four bogeys in five holes on the way in ruined his chances of victory and saw him finish on 10 under in third.

Paul McGinley, well placed after three rounds, never challenged the leaders, finishing tied for fifth on eight under after a mixed round featuring four birdies and three bogeys.

Jimenez admitted it had come as a shock to add to his two victories earlier in the season, the Algarve Open and the Johnnie Walker Classic.

He said: "I played very well from the middle of last season and I have surprised myself with three victories now. To win one is difficult and to win three is very nice. I surprised myself.

"I played really well today and played well over the week. I enjoyed myself today. I said to myself this morning I needed to be aggressive and started birdie, birdie and then made bogey on the fourth from the edge of the green.

"When I saw the leaderboard on nine, I was two under par and the leaders were also dropping shots. I knew I had a chance as I was only three back.

"The eagle on 13 helped a lot. I had 30 metres to the hole. When I hit it, I saw it had a chance to go into the hole. And then it bounced on the green and disappeared. That was very, very good.

"Today, I was aggressive and got the results. I made the birdies and things went my way."

Jimenez revealed he was now looking forward to playing his part in Europe's challenge for the Ryder Cup in Detroit in September

He added: "I don't have to worry now about qualifying for the Ryder Cup. I hope I will be able to support the European team."

Dyson was philosophical after five bogeys scuppered his chances of a first European Tour victory.

He said: "Everything went against me. I didn't drive the ball very well, every bounce was going against me and putts were lipping out when yesterday they were going in.

"But never mind, coming into the week, I would have taken second even though I know I was six ahead.

"Second is my best finish ever on the European Tour and it has got me a lot closer to getting my European card, which is the best news ever."

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