Jimenez hits out at Wentworth redesign
Source: Agencies |
May 28, 2010, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MIGUEL Angel Jimenez has added his voice to a chorus of criticism about the redesign of Wentworth's West Course, comparing it to scrawling a line across a Picasso masterpiece.
In an interview, Jimenez said he did not understand why Wentworth owner Richard Caring had spent 6.5 million pounds (US$9.4 million) implementing changes drawn up by Ernie Els, which left few of the 18 holes untouched.
"If you had a Picasso in a frame would you say 'Now I want to see a line there'," said Jimenez, drawing an imaginary one in the air with a finger.
"You cannot touch a masterpiece and it's the same with a golf course," added the 46-year-old Spaniard, who has been playing the famous course for 22 years.
"It's like if you have an historic building. You cannot touch it without permission."
Els this week hit out at players who criticized his redesign, saying they had "put the knife" into him, while Caring has acknowledged mistakes had been made and said that he would take the blame.
New moat
Several competitors at the PGA Championship complained in the media about the changes, especially the new moat and elevated green at the 18th.
"Now it's a completely different golf course," Jimenez said at the Madrid Masters in an interview organized by the Spanish capital's bid to host the 2018 Ryder Cup.
"You need to hit everything down the middle and the bunkers are too deep. If you are in there you cannot hit any shot to the green," he added. "It's not fun anymore."
The flamboyant Jimenez, who wears his thick red hair in a ponytail and likes to chomp on a fat Cuban cigar, has made an important contribution to European Ryder Cup teams down the years and said he would love to play at the next edition in October in Newport, Wales.
"Probably this is my last chance," the 16-time European Tour event winner said.
"I still think I have something to contribute but the players who are on the best form are going to qualify.
"There are a lot of new people coming on the tour now and it's getting more difficult for the old guys."
The Spaniard said he was still filled with passion for the game and would probably continue playing on the seniors tour when he turned 50.
In an interview, Jimenez said he did not understand why Wentworth owner Richard Caring had spent 6.5 million pounds (US$9.4 million) implementing changes drawn up by Ernie Els, which left few of the 18 holes untouched.
"If you had a Picasso in a frame would you say 'Now I want to see a line there'," said Jimenez, drawing an imaginary one in the air with a finger.
"You cannot touch a masterpiece and it's the same with a golf course," added the 46-year-old Spaniard, who has been playing the famous course for 22 years.
"It's like if you have an historic building. You cannot touch it without permission."
Els this week hit out at players who criticized his redesign, saying they had "put the knife" into him, while Caring has acknowledged mistakes had been made and said that he would take the blame.
New moat
Several competitors at the PGA Championship complained in the media about the changes, especially the new moat and elevated green at the 18th.
"Now it's a completely different golf course," Jimenez said at the Madrid Masters in an interview organized by the Spanish capital's bid to host the 2018 Ryder Cup.
"You need to hit everything down the middle and the bunkers are too deep. If you are in there you cannot hit any shot to the green," he added. "It's not fun anymore."
The flamboyant Jimenez, who wears his thick red hair in a ponytail and likes to chomp on a fat Cuban cigar, has made an important contribution to European Ryder Cup teams down the years and said he would love to play at the next edition in October in Newport, Wales.
"Probably this is my last chance," the 16-time European Tour event winner said.
"I still think I have something to contribute but the players who are on the best form are going to qualify.
"There are a lot of new people coming on the tour now and it's getting more difficult for the old guys."
The Spaniard said he was still filled with passion for the game and would probably continue playing on the seniors tour when he turned 50.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
