Jimenez not sure of Bryson's approach

Dubai - Jimenez will be seen in action in the 27th edition of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, which gets underway from Thursday.

While 'golfing scientist' the 22-year-old Bryson DeChambeau may be sparking some sort of a revolution in golf with his scientific approach, veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez is at the other end of the spectrum, perhaps, defying science. At 52, Jimenez is the oldest winner in European Tour history, has played and continues to do so against different generations. He is that rare breed of colourful characters in a sport that doesn't have many.
After winning the Open de Espana two years ago, Jimenez was asked what was the secret behind his longevity. And the Spaniard retorted: "There is no secret. Good food, good wine, good cigars and some exercise!"
That was so typical of Jimenez. And that's how he has been all along, a penchant for the good life and some good golf to match.
So, it wasn't hard to picture him walking in the Olympic Village in Rio de Janeiro, with a cigar in hand.
"I will say that, you know, in a funny way, a cigar in my mouth and glass of Rioja in the other one. If anybody likes to make a present, I like Cohiba Siglo 6," laughed Jimenez.
"But I meant that in a funny way. The main objective is to be in the Olympics. I'm going to dedicate myself to the European Tour. I would love to be in the Olympics. I will play more here because you have World Ranking points than on the Champions Tour. I'm going to concentrate a little bit more and try to fight for the second spot for the Olympics. That would be nice if I can achieve that in my career," he said.
Jimenez will be seen in action in the 27th edition of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, which gets underway at the Majlis Course of the Emirates Golf Club from Thursday. The Spaniard is a former winner of the event, having won it in 2010 in a play-off against then world No.1 Lee Westwood.
He has also been a regular at the Desert Classic since its inception in 1989. That has meant Jimenez has played many a golfer, young and old during this time. And he felt privileged to be a part of it.
"It's amazing to see all these new players, the power, how golf is changed and the things going on," Jimenez said of the new wave of young guns hitting golf.
"It's amazing to see the way they play. I think it's great. Golf is going the right way. This is my 20th season I've been on the Tour and I have played with Nicklaus, I played with Palmer, I played Gary Player, I played with Seve and I been through all these generations coming up; Olazábal and played with all of them, Tiger, Mickelsons and now Rorys and Spieths. I've been through all these generations and I think it's a privilege to be part of that history. And to see all these new No. 1s coming there and fighting, you know, I think it's a privilege to be part of those things," Jimenez said.
Jimenez is also witnessing a change in golf with American amateur Bryson DeChambeau's scientific approach with unique and custom-made set of clubs as well as the use of Epsom salts for his golfing balls. The Spaniard was not sure if it was the right way to go but said that for him, it was all in the mind. "I don't know. I'm not an engineer," Jimenez said. "I cannot tell you about the physics of things are going to work or not.," he added.
james@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai Desert Classic 2018