Stephen Ames of Canada birdied the 18th gap to finish a seven-shot comeback and repeat as champion of the Boeing Traditional on Sunday in Snoqualmie, Wash.
Ames started the day far off the tempo of Sweden’s Robert Karlsson, however Karlsson made 5 bogeys on the entrance 9 to open the door for everybody behind him.
Ames carded a 5-under-par 67 for the second straight day, ending the match at 11-under 205 for a one-stroke victory.
“At that stage while you’re seven again and you are going, I assume the following aim in all probability was to try to end prime 5,” Ames mentioned. “Clearly the corporate that I used to be retaining with as we speak, Ernie (Els) and Steven Alker, clearly famend winners on the tour this yr and final yr.
“I believe it was simply going to be an excellent battle. It ended up being my group, those that we had been enjoying in opposition to.”
Ames and South Africa’s Els teed off on the par-5 18th at The Membership at Snoqualmie Ridge tied for the lead, one shot forward of their different enjoying companion, New Zealand’s Alker. Ames reached the inexperienced in two, whereas Els left his third shot precariously in need of the opening and Alker discovered a greenside bunker.
Ames lagged his eagle putt from the entrance of the inexperienced to about 5 toes from the cup. After Alker recovered for a birdie and Els missed his birdie strive, Ames sank the go-ahead birdie, his fourth over the past seven holes.
Ames, 60, gained the Boeing Traditional by seven photographs final yr. This was his third win of the season and the ninth of his PGA Tour Champions profession.
Karlsson birdied his final two holes to rally for a 75 and share second place at 10 below with Els and Alker, who every shot a 68.
“I had a tricky end (Saturday) and type of obtained over that and simply knuckled down,” Alker mentioned. “Clearly we would have liked some assist from the leaders (on the) begin of the day and we type of obtained that. I used to be type of stunned after we obtained by way of 9 (holes) and we appeared on the leaderboard and we had been solely two again.
“Yeah, it was only a nice struggle. It was quite a lot of enjoyable, I actually take pleasure in that again 9.”
Charlie Wi of South Korea (75 on Sunday) and Kirk Triplett (71) tied for fifth at 8 below. Paul Stankowski posted a 69 to get to sole possession of seventh at 7 below.
–Subject Degree Media
