( CNN ) -- Miguel Angel Jimenez may be the oldest golfer to win on the European Tour , but his lust for life has put a big dent in his hopes of extending that record in 2013 . The 48-year-old , known for his love of cigars and fine wine , has been ruled out for at least three months after breaking his leg while skiing in his native Spain at the weekend . `` When I took up skiing I knew the risks that I was taking , but I love it so much I could not stop , '' he told the European Tour website . `` I was going down a hill and lost control briefly and when I fell it was very sore . I knew immediately I had broken something . `` The medical staff at Sierra Nevada took me for an x-ray straight away and I am very thankful to them , as well as all of the staff at the hospital , for their quick and professional response. `` The verdict was a broken tibia , just below his right knee , and he had surgery after being taken to hospital in Malaga . Jimenez became the European Tour 's oldest winner when he triumphed in Hong Kong in November , his 19th victory on the circuit . `` I was playing very well at the end of the season so it is obviously not a good time for me to get injured , '' said Jimenez , a three-time member of winning European Ryder Cup teams and a vice-captain for Jose Maria Olazabal at Medinah this year . `` It has not all been bad news for me to finish the year , however , and in just a few days I will be opening my new golf school near Torremolinos . ''
Veteran Spanish golfer Jimenez faces long recovery after skiing accident . The 48-year-old breaks his leg while on the slopes in European Tour 's mountains . He is expected to be sidelined for December after breaking tibia in right leg . Miguel Angel Jimenez became European Tour 's oldest winner with victory in Malaga in December .