Ryder
Cup Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez became his country's first Volvo Masters champion
when he birdied six of the last 11 holes for a seven-under-par 65 to win by two
strokes on Sunday.
Jimenez,
35 but playing better than ever, surged over the last 11 holes of the hilly, 7,058-yard
Montecastillo course to beat off the challenges of German Bernhard Langer, Irish
Ryder Cup player Padraig Harrington and long-time leader Retief Goosen.
Langer, the 1994 champion when the event was held at nearby Valderrama, fired
a closing six-under-par 66 while Harrington birdied the last for a 67 to take
his fourth second place finish in the last eight weeks.
South African Goosen, who led after the first three rounds, could only post a
one-under-par 71.
Jimenez,
winner of the Turespana Masters this year and a revelation at last month's Ryder
Cup, finished 19 under par on 269 with Langer, Harrington and Goosen on 271.
They were two strokes clear of Sergio Garcia of Spain and defending champion Darren
Clarke of Northern Ireland.
European number one Colin Montgomerie finished joint 16th.
