Jimenez suffers broken tibia in skiing accident

• By Will Gray
• Dec 30, 2012 11:05 AM ET

According to multiple reports, Miguel Angel Jimenez broke his leg during a skiing accident Saturday, an injury that will sideline the seemingly ageless Spanish golfer for several months.

The injury reportedly occurred when the 48-year-old fell while skiing in the Sierra Nevada range of Andalucia in southern Spain. Jimenez was taken to a hospital in nearby Malaga, where he was operated on successfully.

"Miguel Angel Jimenez underwent an operation yesterday and he will not be able to play again for about five months due to a serious injury to his right leg," said spokeswoman Maria Acacia Lopez-Bachillez in a press release. According to the statement, Jimenez broke his right tibia below the knee.

The injury comes at an unfortunate time for "El Mecanico," who just last month became the oldest winner on the European Tour with his triumph at the UBS Hong Kong Open. Jimenez, who served as a vice-captain for the victorious European team at this year's Ryder Cup, displayed veteran perspective while first addressing the injury.

"It will take me three, four or five months to fully recover and play again at a competitive level," he said according to the statement. "I have been playing well but that's just the way it goes in life."