Jiménez breaks record so Smyth targets swinging 60s victory

Des Smyth wants to win in his swinging 60s after losing his oldest winner’s record to Miguel Angel Jiménez.

The Mechanic’s victory in the Hong Kong Open at 48 years and 10 months beat Smyth’s 2001 Madeira Islands Open best by 284 days. The Drogheda ace got up at dawn to watch the popular Spaniard bring home his 19th tour title and move to 11th in the list of all-time winners on the European Tour. But he insisted he’d be going for another personal record on the European Senior Tour next term when he will be trying to win in his 60s for the first time.

“It was good while it lasted but all good things come to an end and Miguel was fantastic,” Smyth said of Jimenez’s impressive victory on Sunday.