Miguel Ángel Jiménez (-8) is back where he wants to be: in the thick of the battle for the Charles Schwab Cup. In Phoenix, after a somewhat tentative start, the Spaniard has regained his usual level of play this season. A round of 65 puts him right back in the mix for the overall fight. The Pisha, once again, appears when most needed.
The contest is also thrilling. The three players who arrived in Phoenix at the top of the Order of Merit are among the top four in the tournament. No one is giving an inch. Steve Alker (-11), at the moment, would win both the tournament and the Charles Schwab Cup; Stewart Cink (-10) is hot on his heels; and Jiménez, fourth and three shots behind, is breathing right down their necks, and when he smells blood, we know how he operates. The margin is minimal, and it feels like any detail could tip the balance of an entire year’s work. What more could you ask for in a season finale?
From the first hole, Jiménez made it clear he doesn’t intend to go unnoticed. An eagle on the first flag was a full declaration of intent. If he has to fall, it will be with his boots on. The Spaniard is determined to become the first player from our country to win the Charles Schwab Cup, a feat that would put a historic cap on his already monumental career in the PGA Tour Champions. On Friday, he was seen in fine form and very solid from the tee, missing only three fairways.
Beyond the eagle, he signed two more birdies on the front nine and added three more on the back nine. In total, a recital of successes that catapulted him towards the upper echelons of the leaderboard. Only the bogey on the par 3 of the 15th prevented an even more perfect result, although it doesn’t overshadow the excellent move he has made in the race for the Charles Schwab Cup.
Meanwhile, Steven Alker also sealed a 65 that returns him to the helm of the ranking. The New Zealander regains the number one spot thanks to an exhibition of control and composure, momentarily snatching the honours from Stewart Cink. With all three contenders breathing down each other’s necks, Phoenix is gearing up for a high-voltage weekend. The battle is still alive, and Jiménez is in it. Very much in it.
