Miguel Ángel Jiménez has started the Staysure Marbella Legends showing that he thrives at home. The Malagueño signed a brilliant card of six under par to position himself at the top of the leaderboard, although he shares the lead with the Swede Joakim Haeggman. At Aloha Golf, the local idol sets the pace again.
Miguel Ángel, who started on the 10th, completed the first holes with just one birdie, but his back nine responded to the attack from Churriana, and with 4 birdies and an eagle, he takes the lead with a total of 6 under par: “A magnificent start, 66 is a very good way to start the tournament. I always say that under par is good, more under par, even better. In the first 9 holes, there were some ups and downs, no bogeys but good recoveries, and in the back nine, I hit good shots to the flags, and they worked out. The strategy on this course is to hit well from the tee to attack the flags properly; it’s a course with doglegs to the left, doglegs to the right, and it’s important to be in the right place to attack those flags. If you miss the fairway, you can get into trouble. It’s a luxury to play here, this is our winter, short sleeves, 22 degrees, almost nothing, Andalucía, Costa del Sol, golf coast. I’m very happy, I’ve been competing and traveling in America all year, and when we come here, we enjoy every moment, with friends, family, the golf course, and everything”.
The Swede Joakim Haeggman started the tournament with 8 birdies and 2 bogeys to share the lead with the Malagueño at 6 under par: “How can I not be happy with a 66! I’m delighted, I come from Sweden, from a harsh winter, and just being here makes me happy. I’ve putted phenomenally, that was the key, sometimes a putt for par is more important than a putt for birdie. I let a couple of shots slip away, but the energy is very good. I know this course well, and I like it, I have very good memories, I played well last year but also from all the times we’ve come with the DP World Tour and when I came as a young man back in the 80s. This week is very special, friends, family have come, and the energy is very good. My goal for tomorrow? Keep making putts”.
In third position, tied with 4 under par, are the Dane Thomas Bjorn, the Swede Johan Edfors, and the Scot Stephen Gallacher.
José María Olazábal, with his friend Álvaro Quirós acting as caddie, finished at par and is in 26th place: “After a long time without competing, the truth is that I played a little uncomfortable, the start was a bit tough. Then we stabilized the ship a bit. And the pity was right at the end, when I had turned things around, and I missed a couple of short putts on the 6th and 7th, one for par and one for birdie. But in the end, I made a good save on the eighth, so it balanced out, with plenty of room for improvement. Let’s see if little by little I start feeling a bit more comfortable on the course”.
As for the amateur competition of the Legends Experience, Martin Kessler and the sports delegate of the Málaga City Council, Lisandro Vieytes, share the lead.
Tomorrow, Friday, the second round of the Staysure Marbella Legends will be played, starting at 9 a.m. from two tees.
