Ames finishes PGA Tour season in style
IN: News | US PGA | Children's Miracle Network Classic (2007) | Round Four | by Bruce Young | 05 Nov 2007
Stephen Ames today secured his first PGA Tour event in 18 months when he won the Children’s Miracle Workers Classic in Orlando and importantly for him confirmed that all the hard work he has been doing on his swing and the biomechanics associated with it are falling into place.
Such measures became necessary when Ames was struggling with back issues towards the end of 2006. His golf swing looks as good as it has ever been and the prospect of a big year in 2008 is very much a reality.
“Obviously it’s nice to be back in the victory circle. It was tough. It wasn’t quite as easy as the TPC win, because of the only one shot lead I had playing the last, but it’s a win. It was a grind coming down to the end there, but it was nice to be in that situation, because I wanted to see how my golf swing held up.”
“I started the changes at the end of November last year and it’s starting to get more and more comfortable. I can set up and hit particular shots that I want to hit. Over all 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.”
At his best Ames is a high class player and considerably better than his current world ranking of 49th and today on a tough Magnolia course at Walt Disney Resort, the 43-year-old held out a determined bid from South African Tim Clark to win his third USPGA Tour title.
Ames produced a delightful bunker shot at the last to edge Clark, who is still looking for his first USPGA Tour victory, by just one shot with a further two shots back to the three way tie for third between Robert Gamez, Tag Ridings and Scott Verplank.
Ames had started the last round tied with Verplank and although Verplank took the lead through the middle stages of the round it was a run of three birdies from the 13th by Ames and a late stumble by Verplank that left Ames in front.
The best of the Australians was Mathew Goggin although the Tasmanian let slip a great opportunity to finish the year off in style. His last round of 75 saw him slip from third to 20th but with earnings of US$969,000 it has been another good year for the 33-year-old.
Jarrod Lyle was unable to avoid Stage Two of the Tour School, his 41st place finish advancing him only one place on the money list to 164th. He will attend Stage Two on November 14th. Likewise for Michael Sim, who made no progress with his 52nd place finish.
The USPGA Tour is over for season 2007 with 99 golfers earning more than US$1 million, eleven of those Australians and the best of those Aaron Baddeley who finished 10th.
