Miguel Ángel Jiménez has a reputation that precedes him with many of the crowds on the PGA TOUR Champions schedule. Known for his colorful personality and appreciation of fine wine and cigars, he’s also known for something else.
He’s a PGA TOUR Champions major winner after taking the 2018 Regions Tradition Sunday.
Jimenez’s win was solid, but it wasn’t without drama. While he led at the end of each round of the tournament, on the final round he shared the lead three times, with three different players. It wasn’t until Steve Stricker placed his tee shot in a bunker on the 17th hole that the momentum of the tournament shifted decidedly in Jimenez’s favor.
When the threesome hit their approach shots on the 18th hole, Stricker again found trouble, missing the green and finding the cart path. A miracle shot from Stricker rolled a few feet past the hole, all but ensuring Jimenez’s lead and the victory.
Jimenez finished the tournament at 19-under par, 2-under for the day. Joe Durant, Gene Sauers and Steve Stricker finished in a tie for second, at 16 under.
To close out the trophy ceremony, Bill Horton, Regions Head of Commercial Banking, presented the Tradition trophy and a green Regions bicycle to Jimenez.
In the closing ceremony, Jimenez thanked Regions, Greystone and the many people who helped organize and run the tournament. The Regions Tradition is first major championships of the season for the Champions Tour. Each year, it has a significant economic and charitable impact on the area. In 2017, the tournament raised more than $1 million for local charities and, on an annual basis, creates some $25 million in economic impact.
