Miguel Angel Jimenez breaks record for most European Tour starts

Miguel Angel Jimenez broke the record for most European Tour starts and then posted a flawless 8-under 64 in the process on day one of the Hero Open at Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel & Country Club. 

Jimenez, 56, has now made 707 starts on the European Tour, which beats the previous record held by Sam Torrance. 

"Golf is my life. You never remember any bad moments."@majimenez1964 reflects on making European Tour history.#Miguel707 pic.twitter.com/hmv7uK4BBU

— #Miguel707 (@EuropeanTour) July 30, 2020

On a day where the world's best golfers paid tribute to Jimenez during the live afternoon coverage of the Hero Open, the 21-time European Tour winner flew around Forest of Arden with eight birdies to lie tied second after 18 holes. 

"It's just been a wonderful, beautiful day in the sunshine, and to shoot 8-under par is just incredible," said Jimenez, who lies two strokes off the pace in the Hero Open set by compatriot Sebastian Garcia Rodriguez. 

"To have all my colleagues here on the 18th hole, it's incredible. I just cannot describe how I feel today."

Jimenez, who made his debut appearance on the European Tour at the 1988 Spanish Open, became the oldest winner in European Tour history at the age of 50 at the 2014 Open de Espana. 

Only 12 players have played in more than 600 tournaments on the European Tour. 

Miguel's fellow professionals surround the 18th green to welcome him home.

707 events. 1 legend @majimenez1964
#Miguel707 pic.twitter.com/HuH8fV2kdm

— #Miguel707 (@EuropeanTour) July 30, 2020

Jimenez made it a 1-2-3 atop the top of the leaderboard on day one of the Hero Open with Rodriguez out in front after a course-record 62 (10-under par), and Pablo Larrazabal also matching the veteran's score of 64 (8-under par).

Wales' Oliver Farr is in fourth on 7-under par, with last week's British Masters runner-up Rasmus Hojgaard a further stroke back on 6-under par.