Kaupulehu-Kona, HI (SportsNetwork.com) – Despite trailing by as many as four
shots on Sunday, Miguel Angel Jimenez caught fire on the back nine as he fired
a final-round, 6-under 66 to outlast Mark O’Meara and win by one shot at the
season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship.
Jimenez, who has now won two times in just three career starts on the
Champions Tour, finished the week at 17-under-par 199 thanks to six birdies
over his final nine holes at Hualalai Golf Club.
O’Meara, who trailed the leaders Jimenez and Rocco Mediate at the start of the
final day, started off on fire and held a 3-shot lead at one point in the
final round, but he could not quite withstand Jimenez’s charge. O’Meara carded
an 8-under 64 and finished alone in second at 16-under 200.
Like Jimenez, Couples also shot a 66 and he finished three shots back at 14-
under 202. Mediate, who held the first-round lead and a share of the second-
round advantage with Jimenez, carded a 2-under 70 and ended alone in fourth at
minus-13.
Defending champion Bernhard Langer fired a 5-under 67 to finish tied for fifth
at 12-under 204 with Wes Short, Jr. (66), Colin Montgomerie (68) and Olin
Browne (69).
MORE TO FOLLOW.