(33)46 YEAR OLD JIMENEZ WINS 3RD CHAMPIONSHIP THIS YEAR.

46 year old Spaniard, Miguel Angel Jimenez survived a late scare from Edoardo Molinari to take the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.

Jimenez was six shots clear with seven to play, but saw his lead slashed to one by Ryder Cup team-mate Edoardo Molinari four holes later. Jiménez got up and down from a fairway bunker for a critical par at the 16th and followed it up with a birdie on the next to increase his lead to three.

Jiménez, making his 22nd successive trip to Crans-sur-Sierre, finally got his hands on the trophy with a four under par 67 and 21 under total of 263 to win by 3 shots. This was his 3rd win this season after victories in Dubai and France.

The €333,330 prize lifts Jiménez into 8th place on the Race to Dubai table with earnings of €1,661,661.

There were also celebrations for 17 year old Italian Matteo Monassero. In only his 6th start as a Professional he finished 3rd on 16 under par and won a cheque for €125,200. He has now earned himself €255,383 to secure a full card for the European Tour for 2011 and in a position to take up any invites for the rest of this year.

Peter Lawrie started with a 72 but improved with scores of 69,63 and 69 for a share of 9th place on -11. Darren Clarke was steady for a share of 15th on -9 after hitting scores of 67,70,68,70.

Gareth Maybin played his first tournament for a month. He claimed a share of 30th place on 6 under par with scores of 69,71,68 and 70. Michael Hoey slipped up in the 3rd round taking 77. His other three rounds were 71,69,67 to give him a share of 54th on level par 284.

The 36 hole cut came at 1 under par 141. Paul Mc Ginley had two rounds of 72 to miss out by 3 shots, while Shane Lowry opened with a 74 and followed up with a 72 to miss out by 5 shots.