Oliver Wilson wants just one big win to open the floodgates

European golf's most prestigious title, and the first prize of almost £600,000 that went with it, were within Wilson's grasp. Then he let it all go by firing into the trees off the 17th tee for a bogey six.

Jimenez pounced to force a play-off, which the veteran Spaniard won at the second extra hole.

That kind of defeat would have knocked the stuffing out of many of his peers. But Wilson is philosophical about past setbacks and optimistic about what the future holds.

He said: "At a tournament like the PGA, with the quality of field, you simply can't afford to make mistakes like I did coming down the stretch. At the time it was frustrating but I quickly got over it. Overall, it was a great week for me and I learned a lot.

"To be honest, I'm very happy with the way things are going for me. I feel like I'm getting closer all the time to where I want to be technically."

There is nothing wrong with Wilson's temperament, as he proved at Valhalla last September when he became the first player to make a European team without a title to his name.

Competing in the second day foursomes alongside Henrik Stenson, he battled back from four down to beat home heroes Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim two and one.

"I know I can win majors," said Wilson. "I know I can win big tournaments like the PGA. But even if I was to win this week, just one title wouldn't be enough for me. I feel like I want to look back on my career and have at least double digits in the winning column.

"I really believe that when it does finally happen for me, a lot will follow. I've just got to keep doing the same things I've always done and the door will open. I know it will."

Wilson has an early start in tomorrow's first round, joining Dane Soren Kjeldsen and Richard Sterne, of South Africa, on the first tee at 7.50am.

Jimenez goes at 12.35pm in a marquee grouping with Masters champion Angel Cabrera, of Argentina, and crowd favourite Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain. Northern Ireland's emerging star, Dubai Desert Classic winner Rory McIlroy, starts 10 minutes ahead of Wilson in the company of countryman Graeme McDowell and 2003 Open champion Ben Curtis.

Henrik Stenson's superb victory at the Players Championship in Florida makes him the highest-ranked player in the event and he is out at 8am with fellow Swede Robert Karlsson and South African Retief Goosen.

For Stenson to climb even higher than his current fourth place - behind Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia - he needs to improve a very poor record in the tournament.

In eight previous appearances Stenson's best finish was eighth two years ago - and he was never in contention that week. "It's a classic old golf course. There's a lot of history and tradition here," said the 33-year-old.

"It's a course I like playing. I haven't done my best in the past, but obviously I hope to change that this year."

Stenson's group tomorrow are followed immediately by Ernie Els, Ross Fisher and Paul Casey, then by Colin Montgomerie, Paul McGinley and twice winner Anders Hansen.

The later starters include Lee Westwood, Luke Donald and Justin Rose, while for the second time in three weeks big-hitters John Daly and Alvaro Quiros are partners.