'Paradise in the mountains' - Miguel Ángel Jiménez on what makes Crans-sur-Sierre such a special venue

Nobody knows Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club better than Miguel Ángel Jiménez.

The Spanish great is this week making a record-extending 36th appearance - seven more than countryman and the next most frequent visitor Manuel Piñero - at the iconic host venue of the Omega European Masters.

Since his debut in 1989, the 62-year-old has remarkably played in all but one of every subsequent edition, having only missed the tournament in 2015 when it was staged a week after The Open.

In 2010, the same year he helped Europe to Ryder Cup victory at Celtic Manor in Wales, Jiménez lifted the trophy to add his name to a list of past champions that also includes European legends Seve Ballesteros, José María Olazábal and Sir Nick Faldo.

Respected worldwide for his longevity, his commitment to the tournament shows no sign of stopping either ahead of his latest visit to Crans-Montana in Valais.

"Just look around you. It’s a paradise in the mountains," he says, highlighting what is so special about the venue.

Situated 1,500m above sea level, the 18-hole Severiano Ballesteros course at Crans-sur-Sierre overlooks the Rhône valley with views of the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.

Few courses around the world boast a more scenic backdrop.

"You are surrounded by these beautiful mountains," adds Jiménez, an ambassador for both the tournament and the OMEGA brand.

"It’s a great golf course. Not very long but a golf course that you really enjoy.

"The people, the food have made me feel good here. It’s one of these places where you feel nice [at ease]."

It’s a paradise in the mountains

Originally known as the Swiss Open, the tournament was first played at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in 1939.

After a gap of eight years due to the Second World War it returned in 1948 and has been played every year since with the exception of 2020 when it was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is the only tournament that has been played at the same venue every year since the DP World Tour's formation in 1972, and as such fans around the world have come to know it from afar as if they were regular visitors.

A photographer's dream, there arguably isn't a bad shot to be had.

But the drivable par-four seventh with the snow-capped Alpine vistas in sight from both the tee and green is a visual that is known that captures the imagination.

"It’s maybe not the best golf hole, but the most beautiful is the seventh.

"You have the valley, the views of the mountains. It’s the picture [signature] hole."

Despite the idyllic location, the thinner air and the dark fir trees that need to be navigated through ensure a demanding test.

"With the golf course itself, it doesn’t matter where you are, there is always something to consider - you need to be precise," he said.

"You need to hit very straight from the tee. It’s tree lined, so sometimes the fairways are narrow so you need to be in the right place to hit those greens. The greens have a lot of movement."

While Jiménez will forever be known as a king of the mountains, it is perhaps forgotten that he also finished runner-up to Barry Lane alongside Ballesteros in 1993 when his compatriot made the impossible become possible by hitting a recovery shot with a wedge almost vertically up over a wall, but beneath the tree limbs, at the 18th in the final round.

Among his 35 appearances to date, he boasts 11 top tens - one more than the number of times he has missed the cut.

A familiar face from the Crans-sur-Sierre fairways, he brings up his 725th DP World Tour appearance and he is now just one short of David Howell's all-time record of 726.

Such is his affection for both the tournament and the venue, it would be no surprise if he was to match or even break that mark in the Swiss Alps in the near future.

"The crowds want to come here, they want to see us playing and we like to come here," he says.