 | FINAL ROUND LEADERBOARD -16 MA Jimenez (Spa) -14 T Price (Aus) -13 G McDowell (Ire), K Eriksson (Swe) |
Miguel Angel Jimenez virtually booked his place in September's Ryder Cup with victory in the Algarve Open. The Spaniard carded a final-round 67 to finish at 16-under overall, two shots ahead of Australian Terry Price, who equalled the course record with a 64.
Ireland's Graeme McDowell and Sweden's Klas Eriksson were a shot further back in third place after rounds of 67.
England's overnight leader David Lynn had a one-under par round of 71 to end up in a disappointing tie for fifth.
It was Jimenez's third victory since Ryder Cup qualifying began, putting him top of the standings in the race to make the European team to play the USA in Michigan.
|  It's very important for me to be in the Ryder Cup again |
And he admitted he was delighted to have virtually secured a return to Ryder Cup action.
The 40-year-old Spaniard was Seve Ballesteros' vice-captain in 1997 and played in Brookline in 1999.
"It's very important for me to be in the Ryder Cup again," said Jimenez.
"The sensations you get at that tournament are something amazing. The spirit is different, something special, and I would love to be there."
Jimenez was only playing in Portugal after being disqualified from the Qatar Masters for illegally moving his ball.
At the time he was ranked 53rd in the world and heading for an automatic Masters qualification in the top 50. He would have played this week's Bellsouth Classic on the US Tour as a warm-up.
"I lost my chance to play the Masters with what happened before and so now I go home and spend time with my family," said Jimenez.
| I'm knocking on the door but I think the door is made of lead |
"You can't compare this with the Masters. You have to take what comes. I am very happy to win the Portuguese Open as it is a victory and for your career it is very important."
Playing partner Lynn looked set to pose the stiffest challenge after moving to 13 under par at the eighth.
But he had a double-bogey seven on the 11th after losing his ball in the mud.
"I'm knocking on the door but I think the door is made of lead," said 30-year-old Lynn, who has had 17 top-10 finishes without a win.
"But it is all good experience and I don't feel out of place. That's the first time I have played with the winner in the final round and it was nice to watch."
Price set the clubhouse target at 14 under, storming home in 31 with a stunning eagle three at the 18th hole.
But Jimenez kept his cool, recording a birdie on the 10th, and making up for a lost shot at the 13th with further birdies on the 16th and final holes.
MMIX
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