Miguel Ángel Jiménez: "The Ryder Cup is much more important than oneself"

Miguel Ángel Jiménez will watch the Ryder Cup this year from his new home in St. Regis Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic – “it is paradise, spectacular” -, from the tranquility of your armchair overlooking the Caribbean, with a glass of good wine and a cigar. “Here I have everything good that I have in Spain, that's why they call it Spanish Island,” he comments in conversation with EL MUNDO

'El Pisha', who has seven Ryder Cups behind him, four as a player and three as vice-captain, and is the player with the record for the highest number of tournaments played on the European Tour (721), recognizes that he will miss someone this year on the European team. “It has been difficult for me to understand why they have not taken the Polish Adrian Meronk. He has won and placed second there in Marco Simone in the last two years, I would have taken him,” he admits bluntly, although he adds: “I'm not going to tell you who I wouldn't have taken.”

After that incredible streak of participations in Europe this summer in Switzerland, Jiménez planned to say goodbye to the DP World Tour forever, but he will have to postpone his retirement. “They won't let me say goodbye, they want me to continue competing and I'll hold on a little longer,” he admits.

In such an important career, only one cherry is missing: having been captain of Europe in a Ryder Cup. “I have no interest, the captain must be playing the circuit, it is important to be in contact with everyone. I'm going to Europe to play and I don't know anyone. The Ryder Cup is more important than you, you are always expendable,” he says.. But a question uncovers some wounds, now healed:

Did you never run to be champion? Yes, it was in the United States in 2016 in Hazeltine and apparently my English was not good enough, or at least that was the excuse they made. It was the reason they gave me. I have never gotten lost in the world with my English, it shouldn't be that bad. Then they asked me to be one in Paris in 2018 and I wrote them an email saying that my English was still equally bad.

Despite the initial grievance, it is surprising that the Spaniard renounced such a great honor. “Actually I withdrew my candidacy myself, I was already playing on the Champions Tour. For me the Ryder Cup is much more important than oneself, not having been able to be captain does not cause me any stress. The train has passed and gone.” And so you can see that he does not hold a grudge, he will not move from his Caribbean chair in these three days, there will be no shortage of good company and good food and drink; If there is someone who knows how to enjoy life, it is Miguel Ángel Jiménez.