Miguel Angel Jimenez to start Seve Trophy

Miguel Angel Jimenez will hit the first shot of this year's Seve Trophy in honour of the late Seve Ballasteros.

Jimenez, who was good friends with his fellow Spaniard, will start the tournament which begins in Paris tomorrow (Thursday).

"After his passing away a few months ago, we felt that paying a tribute to the man would be very important," said Europe captain Jean van de Velde.

"We decided there would be a Spaniard hitting the first shot of the tournament.

"Who better than his good friend Miguel Angel Jimenez?"

Van de Velde's team will be taking on a Great Britain & Ireland side led by Paul McGinley in the four-day tournament from Golf de Saint-Nom-la-Breteche in the French capital.