I've been watching the Omega European Masters from the Swiss Alps in the morning on the Golf Channel. The scenery is always stunning and the altitude and the course always make this one of the lowest scoring events on the Euro tour.
Matteo Mannasero is only 17 and is not in this Ryder Cup team, but will be for years to come. He lead after round one after his -7, 64 and yes he hits it a mile and more and has the composure of a 30 year old pro. Mike Weir played with this kid in the Masters and said as much himself.
Edoardo Molinaro as I wrote this weekend has made Monty's team after his win at the Johnie Walker and he may be the hottest golfer in the world right now as he opened with a 66..
Today it was all about the "mechanic" veteran Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez, who marches along with his favourite cigars smoking away, and sporting a fine little pot belly developed in part by his fondness for fine wine and whiskey, a far cry from today's flat bellies who wouldn't know a single malt from a can of Dr Pepper..
Here is the report filed on European Tour. com by my pal Roddy Williams poor fella, he's stuck up in Crans Sur Sierre having to endure the Swiss Alps in all their glory !!
Miguel Angel Jiménez produced the lowest round of his 27 year European Tour career in Switzerland.
Two eagles and six birdies gave the 46 year old Ryder Cup star a ten under par 61 in the Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre and he goes into the weekend with a three stroke lead.
Jiménez, making his 22nd successive visit to the Alpine resort, had a chance of The European Tour's first-ever 59 when he reached the 16th tee needing two more birdies.
But the Spaniard, who has had ten of his 17 victories on the circuit since turning 40, had to be content with parring all three remaining holes for a 14 under halfway total of 128.
More good news for Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie was that Italian Edoardo Molinari, the only other member of his side playing in the event, lies joint second with 17 year old compatriot Matteo Manassero.
Molinari, handed a wild card after his win in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles last Sunday, added a 65 to his opening 66 for a 131 total
First round leader Manassero, trying to become The European Tour's youngest-ever winner in only his sixth event as a professional, chipped in for eagle at the long 15th in his 67.
But the day belonged to a player who made his European Tour debut ten years before Manassero was even born.
"It was a beautiful day in the mountains," said Jiménez, playing his 535th European Tour event.
"I was thinking 59 a little bit and I tried, but it was still a great round. All the clubs were working properly and that's what you need."
Playing for the fifth week in a row - he added last week's event to his schedule for fear of losing out in The Ryder Cup race and finished third - Jiménez followed three early birdies with an eagle at the 629 yard ninth.
More to follow later today on the Deutsche Bank that is now underway in Boston.
Bryan Angus bryanangus4@gmail.com
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