Miguel Angel Jimenez held his nerve to win the French Open yesterday after a three-way play-off with Spanish compatriot Alejandro Canizares and Francesco Molinari.
After completing their fourth and final rounds at Le Golf National with an 11-under-par total of 277, the trio headed back to the tricky par-four 18th for the play-off.
Jimenez struck his tee shot down the middle while Molinari, the Italian, found a bunker and Canizares sent his left into the water. After taking a drop, Canizares hit the water a second time, which effectively ended his challenge.
Molinari putted for a one-over-par bogey, leaving the 46-year-old Jimenez to sink his par putt from five metres.
It was the Spainard's 17th European Tour win and 10th since he reached the age of 40.
It was, though, a massive reprieve for Jimenez, as he had earlier blown a two-shot lead going into the last hole.
He had been in stunning form after the turn, sinking five birdies to head for the 18th tee at 13-under with a two-stroke lead over Canizares and Molinari.
A double-bogey, however, set up the play-off.
Canizares, who had repaired the damage of two double-bogeys at the end of his third round on Saturday with two birdies in the first three holes, then had a chance to snatch it, but his birdie putt died just short of the hole.
Molinari gave himself a chance of winning with a round of 67, which included five birdies and an eagle at the par-four 10th.
Overnight leader Martin Kaymer, the defending champion, was also in the mix until a double-bogey at the 15th. He followed that with another double bogey at the tricky 18th to finish seven-under.
Meanwhile, Lee Westwood flew home from Paris last night to have immediate treatment and probably a scan on the right leg injury that bothered him all week at the French Open. The world No 3 was hobbling again for most of a closing 70, which left him down the field on four under par.
Westwood was in hospital on Wednesday after fears his problem could be a deep vein thrombosis, but although that did not prove to be the case his condition remains a real concern.
"It got worse as the week went on," he told Press Association Sport. "I had a three-iron at the third from a ball-below-feet lie and I think I just tweaked it. After that I could hardly put any weight on it. Two people think I should have an MRI scan and the sooner that's done the better."
* Agencies
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5