Miguel Angel Jimenez kisses the trophy after winning the Hong Kong Open on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Defending champion Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain won the $1.3 million Hong Kong Open golf tournament in a three-way playoff on Sunday, clinching the ­title for a ­record-equaling fourth time and securing his 20th European Tour victory.

The 49-year-old Spaniard birdied the first extra hole at the Hong Kong Golf Club to defeat Thailand's Prom Meesawat and Stuart Manley of Wales and collect a winner's check of $216,660.

The victory saw the popular Jimenez match Chinese Taipe's Hsieh Yung-yo's four wins at Fanling in the 1960s and 1970s and break the record he set last year as the oldest European Tour ­winner.

"It's very nice to win a fourth title and for two years in a row," a delighted Jimenez said. "It's a very sweet victory."

Jimenez played the extra hole perfectly, hitting his tee shot past his opponents and into a prime position far down the fairway.

"In the playoff I know I needed to make something," Jimenez said afterward, enjoying his trademark cigar and glass of red wine.

"I thought I needed to make a birdie. I hit a beautiful drive down the middle of the fairway then hit a wedge.

"To win in that style makes it even more sweet."

Jimenez started the day two shots behind overnight leader Manley but soon closed the gap with birdies at 3, 11, 13 and 14 as the Welshmen traded bogeys with birdies in an inconsistent round.

As the Spaniard ticked along ­nicely Meesawat - playing in the group ahead of Jimenez - was tearing up the course to ­propel himself up the leader board.

Two eagles and two birdies put the Thai golfer in the lead on his own at the co-sanctioned European Tour and Asian Tour event before a disappointing bogey at the 14th.

When the Spaniard bogeyed the 15th, the title looked to be heading Meesawat's way until Jimenez bounced back with a birdie at 17 after missing a good opportunity to pull level on 16.

Jimenez and Meesawat appeared to be set for a head-to-head in the playoff until Manley dramatically chipped in at the last for birdie and the three headed back down the eighteenth. There, Manley hit a wayward iron which struck the roof of the hospitality tent, while Meesawat came up short of the green. Both were heading for fours when Jimenez rolled his putt in.

"It's always hard to win a tournament," Jimenez told reporters. "All the players are good and you have to respect all of them.

"The main thing was I never stopped telling myself to stay calm, live the moment and let everything happen."

Jimenez, who will turn 50 next month, won the Hong Kong Open in 2004, 2007 and 2012 when at 48 years and 318 days he became the oldest winner on the European Tour.

AFP - Global Times