Ames’ dream of 64 comes true at Disney

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This article was published 16/11/2009 (6153 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Stephen Ames was munching on sliders and drinking a few beers at his coach’s house Saturday night when he realized that he needed all the help he could get to make his final round of the year a special one.

So at the place where the entrance gates declare “Where Dreams Come True,” the Calgary golfer figured he should give it a shot.

“I wished for 64,” Ames said, “and I got that 64.”

Ames won his second title in three years at the Children’s Miracle Network Classic on Sunday, edging George McNeill and Justin Leonard in a playoff to become the oldest winner in the tournament’s history.

The 45-year-old Ames was calm and cool on greens that were too slick for most of the field on a sun-baked day at Disney World. The Canadian finished with an 8-under 64 for the clubhouse lead, watching as McNeill (67) and Leonard (67) failed to pass him.

It was the first win of the year and fourth career victory for Ames, including The Players Championship in 2006. This time, he had a few extra people in the gallery.

Among those who followed him on the back nine was his 10-year-old son, Ryan, who provided a little extra motivation walking up to the 18th tee needing a birdie.

“He said, ‘Dad, you need to hole this,”‘ Ames recalled. “I said, ‘All right, I’ll try my best.’ It was a very casual round. It’s Mickey Mouse, come on.”

Ames got some help.

Leonard rimmed out a 16-foot putt for the win in regulation, even beginning to pump his fist in celebration only to watch the ball spin away. He twice left putts short when he was eliminated on the first playoff hole — also the 18th.

“To be this close and not be able to pull it out is disappointing,” Leonard said. “Obviously, I thought I made it by my reaction. I was surprised it didn’t go in.”

Ames also caught another break.

After McNeill saved par on the first playoff hole despite landing his tee shot between the trees, he had a six-foot putt on the 15th to force a third playoff hole. McNeill struck the ball right on the line, but it trickled around the edge and popped off to give Ames the win and the US$828,000 first-place prize.

“It made a full 360,” McNeill said. “It went down in the hole, and then it spit back out.”

There were other rallies that didn’t end up on the leaderboard.

Sunday was the last day for players to secure a tour card for next year. Only those who finished the year in the top 125 on the money list are guaranteed full status. The next 25 will at least get conditional status and be able to enter more than a dozen tournaments.

For as much back and forth as there was throughout the week, in the end, there wasn’t a lot of movement.

Former world No. 1 David Duval already had lost his full status by missing the cut. Robert Garrigus also missed the cut and was knocked out of full status for next year.

Jimmy Walker and Nicholas Thompson were the only two players to move inside the top 125 after beginning the week outside. Walker finished at No. 125.

“It’s tough. You can’t do anything,” Walker said. “You just have to sit back and relax. Not relax, you can’t relax. But I did all I could do.”

There were others who cut it close.

Rich Beem shot a 68 to finish at 10 under for the tournament. The 2002 PGA Championship winner finished at No. 122.

— The Associated Press