On the European Tour today, 46 was the optimum age for winning. ...and it applied to the ladies as well as the lads.
in Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland, European Tour veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez took home the OMEGA European Masters, while LET icon Laura Davies captured the UNIQUA Open in Wiener Neustadt, Austria.
Both players have the kind of distinctive style and amazing talent that make them hugely popular with fans... and both are children of the early sixties. In fact they were born just three months apart. She on October 5, 1963 and he just 5 days into 1964.
Today both were challenged by players decades their junior.
The Spanish cigar aficionado, faced a back nine charge today from Edoardo Molinari. It narrowed his lead to one stroke, but MAJ prevailed to win by three, leaving Molinari with second. Another Italian youngster, 17-year-old Matteo Manassero, finished third ...and secured his 2011 European Tour card.
In Austria meanwhile, Ms. Davies entered the final round one stroke behind fellow Brit, Melissa Reid but tenaciously took the lead and held on despite difficult conditions and stiff competition. France's Virginie Lagoutte-Clement took second. Reid finished in a tie for third with Alison Walshe of the USA.
Laura Davies and Miguel Angel Jimenez undoubtedly inspired many yesterday, and like Jack Nicklaus who won the Masters in 1986 at... yes, age 46... they demonstrated that a golfer... male or female... can remain competitive well into their fourth decade.
It's hard not to admire The Mechanic. He really seems comfortable with who he is.
ReplyDeleteNow LD, I might find a bit intimidating. ;)
The thing that stands out for me is that these two players seem to be happy with who they are. Golf is clearly an occupation they're each very dedicated to, but they don't seem to let it define them. That's probably one of the reasons they're still playing at such a high level.
ReplyDeleteQuite a coincidence! 46 is evidently the new 26 in Europe. I think I might want to head over there in a few years.
ReplyDelete:)