Stephen Ames closes PGA Tour season with victory in Children's Miracle Network Classic

From WorldGolf.com News Services

Stephen Ames saved par from a bunker on the 18th hole to close out the 2007 PGA Tour season with a one-shot victory Sunday in the Children's Miracle Network Classic.

Ames fired a 4-under-par 68 on Disney's Magnolia Course to finish at 17-under-par 271 and win by one stroke over Tim Clark in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. It was the third PGA Tour victory for Ames and his first since the 2006 Players Championship.

"Obviously, it's nice to be back in the victory circle," Ames told reporters. "It was tough. It wasn't quite as easy as the TPC win, but it's a win. It was a grind coming down to the end there, and it was nice to be in that situation, because I wanted to see how my golf swing held up."

Ames, who finished No. 31 on the final PGA Tour money list with $2.1 million in earnings, has spent the past 11 months working on swing changes to both help his game and lessen the strain on his back. The 43-year-old resident of Calgary Canada, said he was glad to get a chance to see how the changes held up under pressure.

"Parts of it held up and parts didn't, so at this stage you always look for things to work on, and I know I have a few things to work on for next year," Ames said. "The driver held up nicely. Actually, funny enough, I got longer and longer as the day went on, which is nice."

Ames started slowly in the Fall Series event, making birdies at No. 6 and No. 10 before dropping back to 14 under with a bogey at No. 11. However, he responded with three consecutive birdies on holes 13-15 before he finished with three straight pars.

Even without Sunday's victory, Ames said he would've considered 2007 a successful year. Besides just missing a top-30 finish on the money list, he contended in both the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship and has played without pain.

"It's starting to get more and more comfortable, where I can set up and hit particular shots that I want to hit," Ames said of his swing changes. "Overall it's been a nice development - it's been pain-free, which is the biggest thing for me.

"My back hasn't hurt whatsoever this whole year, so those are the things I've got to look at and progressively getting better and better at a ripe old age of 43."

Scott Verplank, who was tied with Ames for the lead heading into the final round, tied for third at 14-under 274 with Robert Gamez and Tag Ridings. Bryce Molder, Justin Leonard and Jeff Overton tied for sixth at 13-under 275.

Clark, who shot a 66 to finish at 16-under 272, produced his fourth top-10 finish in five starts at the tournament. It was also his fifth runner-up in his last three years on the PGA Tour and his third second-place finish of the year.

At No. 21 on the season money list with $2.6 million in earnings, Clark has the distinction of the best player not to win on Tour this year.

"I have a million top-25s, a few top-10s and fewer top-fives, but this year has been different, and I'm improving, and mentally I'm getting stronger," Clark told reporters. "That's what's getting me in the top five, and this is what I need to go ahead and start winning tournaments, so that's been the biggest improvement this year.

"When I've got in contention, I've been able to play well."

November 5, 2007