Evergreen Angel Miguel Jimenez set to add colour at Indian Open

New Delhi: Known for his love for Cuban cigars, vintage wine and passion for blazing fast cars, evergreen Spain legend Angel Miguel Jimenez - also known as 'The Mechanic' - is set to dazzle when he tees off at the tricky DGC for the Hero Indian Open golf starting Thursday.

"I played in India in 2008. So it is good to be back. I am looking forward to the week at the Delhi Golf Club," says the 51-year-old, who has defied age to clinch an incredible 14 titles out of his 21 European Tour wins since turning 40.

"I played a few holes this morning and it is an old style course where you do not have to hit the ball 300 yards off every tee. One has to be accurate and keep the ball in the fairway, otherwise you will be in trouble. The rough can be very difficult to play from and you can get a lot of fliers.

"It's going to be very difficult to keep the ball under control from the rough, so I think you have to be playing from the fairway. The tee shots will be the most important factor this week. If you can keep it in play off the tee then you will build the score from there," he explains.

Jimenez made a perfect start to 2015 when he won in Hawaii on the US Champions Tour. He also finished tied seventh in Thailand last week and will be the cynosure of all eyes when he embarks in his bid to break his own record of being the oldest winner on the European Tour.

Ask him about his secret and he says: "What is my secret? It's simple ? I am doing what I love to do in my life and that is the secret. If I didn't still love to play golf and to compete then I wouldn't be here. But this is my life and I am happy and I am still competing at a good level so I will continue to play."

Often described as 'the most interesting golfer in the world', Jimenez has an eye for sophistication.

Ask him about his cigars and he pulls a packet of cuban ones out of his pocket. "I carry them with me all the time.

You never know if you will get it," he says with a smile.

Jimenez, who is playing his 27th consecutive season on the European Tour, also has a passion for fast cars.

About his latest buy, he says: "I love cars. I have a Ferrari, BMW M5 and Mini Countryman. My recent one is BMW 640 Gran Coupe."

Jimenez, who has also won seven titles on the Asian Tour, feels Indian golf is in good health and with time will only grow stronger.

"I have seen a few Indian golfers in past few years. Jeev is the pioneer of Indian golf and to see a new generation of Indian players coming through is great for the game here. I also saw Arjun Atwal, Jyoti Randhawa and now these days Anirban Lahiri is inside top 50 ranking. So it seems Indian golf is very healthy. People know what they want and in future, it will be more good," he says.

"Asian golf is very popular now. There are a lot of tournaments and a lot of people are coming to play here. The game is growing more and more in India and around the world.

Golf is not about Europe or America but it is global with top golfers from all over the world and some of the young Indian players are starting to follow what Jeev has done for so many years."