Mechanic No. 707 Jimenez sets new record at Hero Open; Drysdale gets to No. 500

Miguel Jimenez and David Drysdale. Pics: Getty Images/ European Tour

Birmingham: Miguel Ángel Jiménez opened his record 707th European Tour start with a sensational eight-under 64 on the first day of the Hero Open on Thursday. The 56-year-old overtook Sam Torrance’s long-held record. Apart from his 707 starts on the European Tour, he has played numerous events on other Tours, too, so the overall number would be even higher.

Jimenez’s 64 put him at Tied-second, as the top three places were occupied by Spaniards. The leader was Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez (62) and Pablo Larrazabal (64) tied with Jimenez.

Jimenez had four birdies on the front nine and as many on the back nine and no bogeys in a tournament that marked his 707th start in his 32nd year on the European Tour.

If last week’s winner Renato Paratore had his mother waiting for him on a video call at the end of the final round, Jimenez had previous record holder Sam Torrance waiting for him on a video call at the 18th green. Jimenez had a glass of wine ready and his gleaming memento – a salver commemorating the record was also waiting for him right there after the opening round at Hero Open.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 29: Miguel Ángel Jiménez of Spain wears a face mask during a practice round for the Hero Open at the Marriott Forest of Arden on July 29, 2020 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

The 56-year-old, Jimenez, also affectionately referred to as ‘The Mechanic’ because of his love for cars, already has 21 European Tour titles to his name and a record number of holes-in-one, as well. He also holds the record for oldest winner on tour. And now this record which stands as a testimony to his longevity

The four-time Ryder Cup player known for a jovial manner and his love for red wine and cigars is a big favourite with fans.

Also, this week at the Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel and Country Club David Drysdale plays his 500th event on tour. The Scot is just the 43rd player in the tour’s history to do so.

Jiménez said, “It’s amazing. You never think when you start what you are going to achieve. With the years going by I hold some different records, and now this one that Sam Torrance still holds this morning, I tied with him last week. It’s been 32 years moving around the world playing on different Tours. Getting to this point and looking back, it’s amazing. So many players in these 32 years. Playing with Seve – our mentor – Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger, Phil Mickelson. All different generations. Now with the new ones coming up.

“Over these 32 years it has been amazing, not only for the 707 tournaments I will reach this week. You never think about how many tournaments you will play in your life. I knew in the last couple of years – the way I am playing and feeling on the golf course – that this would be the next target, and here we are.”

Drysdale said, “I am very proud. It has been 20 years of travelling the world and playing golf. It is not something you set out to achieve when you start playing professionally to play 500 events on the European Tour, but it is a fantastic achievement and I hope for many more.

“Vicky (his wife) has helped me massively and has been on the bag now for four seasons. She did travel with me a good few years before she started caddying. You know what Scots can be like, being a little bit negative, but she is so upbeat and positive all the time and she has been fantastic the last couple of years.

“The European Tour have done a fantastic job to get these six UK Swing events together, with the hotels being mostly onsite and everything. The thing I really battled with last week was no atmosphere, no crowd. That is the really hard thing to get your head around, but you’ve got to.”

Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “Many congratulations to David on reaching such a significant milestone on the European Tour.

“When you think of the thousands of players who have competed on the European Tour over the past 48 years, to be only the 43rd to reach 500 appearances is a truly remarkable achievement. It is testament to his consistency and something of which he should be rightly proud.”

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