SENIOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

April 16, 2026

Miguel Angel Jimenez

Press Conference

The Concession Golf Club

THE MODERATOR: Miguel Angel Jiminez is with us now at the 2026 Senior PGA Championship. Miguel 6-under 66 for you today. What stands out from your opening round?

MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ: Well, I played very solid from green to tees. I made seven birdies, one bogey and been very solid all day long. I'm playing very well, especially the first nine holes where I make an eagle on the seven, birdie, birdie to nine, minus-5.

Probably on the par-5 13th, yeah, I have beautiful driver, but then I blocked my second shot and had to have a penalty there and working with a bogey and then birdie on the next hole and birdie on the 17th par-5. Put the ball on the bunker, make a layup, and lob wedge 2 feet to the hole.

But I've been very solid all day. Very nice. Well, cannot complain with my game really.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Can you describe the eagle on seven and how you felt making the turn on 5-under?

MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ: I've been playing on the first nine very solid with chances for birdie almost every hole, apart from hole number six. That I recovered from the bunker.

Then on hole number seven I hit a beautiful driver, but it was past the bank that always block you. This time I used to have a clear shot. I hit it with my 5-wood. I had 230 meters to the hole. A little wind to the east. Perfect for the 5-wood. Just on the front of the green and leave me like a 5-meters putt, and I hole the putt for eagle.

Then make birdie on the eighth with my 3-wood and a 52 gap wedge, and I leave it, like, 4 meters. Then on the ninth, driver, gap wedge again, and 2 1/2 meters. Very solid, yeah.

Q. On 13 did you find your ball, or did you have to declare a lost ball?

MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ: No, I didn't play ball. The ball is just -- the camera TV tell me that the ball is rolling. I watched in the hole. It's a hole that is not an animal. It's just making the hole, and the ball is very deep to try to hit that shot and also have the branches. I take a penalty drop there and then played to the green, but it's very irritating.

Then I play away from the flag, because you go the flag and you part the part the flag, you can go down the other side. Then I still have my chance for a par, but you missed the putt, a little bit too aggressive, the first putt. Then I had to make a 4-foot putt for bogey.

Q. I was going to ask how easy that could have been going double bogey, and yet you were --

MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ: If I lost the ball -- for a moment I thought I going to lost the ball there, and then I have to go back. Well, shit happens sometimes, you know (laughing), and you have to take it.