GOLF:MIGUEL ANGEL Jimenez believes the lack of a dominant force in the world of golf makes it an exciting time for spectators, but would still like to see Tiger Woods get back to his best.
The 47-year-old Spaniard heads into today’s Czech Open at the Prosper Golf Resort, which he helped to design, having finished tied for 64th on 11 over in the USPGA Championship.
In making the cut, he at least did better than Woods, who crashed out at the halfway stage at 10 over for his two rounds.
No one player has yet emerged to take Woods’s place as the man to beat, with USPGA champion Keegan Bradley the 13th different winner of the last 13 Majors.
Jimenez said: “It’s good for golf, because it’s more interesting for the people. But then Tiger Woods was also very good for golf, and we need him to get back to his best, because the crowds are down without him, and so are the TV ratings.
“So it’s a difficult one. He’s still the biggest name in golf, so we need him back playing well for the good of the game.”
Jimenez heads into the tournament in Celadna as the bookies’ favourite, ahead of the likes of Ireland’s Peter Lawrie, George Coetzee of South Africa, England’s Gary Boyd and Soren Hansen of Denmark.
Lawrie lost out in a three-way play-off for the title last year after Sweden’s Peter Hanson timed his run for a place at the Ryder Cup to perfection with a birdie three at the second extra hole to thwart the both Lawrie and Boyd. Hanson has not returned to defend his title.
Lawrie had carded a six-under-par 66 in his final round to make the play-off.
He is joined in the Czech Republic by five other Irish golfers, with Shane Lowry, who hit a 64 in the second round last year, Simon Thornton, Paul McGinley, Michael Hoey and Damien McGrane going in search of the €250,000 first prize.
The Lowdown
Course: Prosper Golf Resort, Celadna, Czech Republic.
Length: 7,452 yards. Par: 72.
Prize money: €1.5 million, (€250,00 for the winner)
Field: 156.
Last year: Peter Hanson made birdie at the second extra hole to beat Peter Lawrie and Gary Boyd in a play-off.
The layout: Hilly course with a lot of elevated tees. Water comes into play on nine holes.
On TV: Sky Sports 2 from 10am.
Weather forecast: Sunshine with a strong breeze tomorrow.
