nov19 jimenez wins hong kong

Miguel Angel Jimenez won the Hong Kong Open title by a stroke Sunday after third-round leader Robert Karlsson had a double bogey on the final hole.

Jimenez had an eagle and five birdies against four bogies for a three-under 67 at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling for a total of 15-under 265.

Karlsson played the first three rounds with just one bogey, but had three in the final round Sunday, in addition to the disastrous double at No. 18 when he chipped from a bunker into the rough to finish with a 72.

imenez also struggled, firing three birdies and three bogeys on the front nine. He hunkered down on the back nine, making a birdie on the 11th and an eagle on No. 12.

The Spaniard earned $375,000 from the event co-sanctioned by the Asian and European tours that he also won in 2004.

Jimenez had mixed emotions about his victory.

“The only down part is I feel, I have to say for Robert – the way it finished as he played so well the whole week,” he said. “He had a double at the last, and it’s not the best way to finish as I know he wanted to win.”

Karlsson said “a couple decisions at the end of the day cost me a couple of shots.”

The Swede tied for second with South Korea’s K.J. Choi and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee. Karlsson’s compatriot Peter Hanson shot a 68 to finish fifth. Australian Marcus Fraser, third going into the final round, dropped to seventh after a 71. Canadian star and former U.S. Masters champion Mike Weir also shot a 71 to finish 12th.