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Stephen Ames celebrates his success with 10-year-old son Ryan. Picture by Marc Serota/Getty Images.
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Lake Buena Vista (November 15): Canadian Stephen Ames won his fourth PGA Tour title by defeating George McNeill on the second hole of a sudden-death play-off in the Children's Miracle Network Classic.
While Ames safely secured his par-three at the short 15th, McNeill made a bogey. Justin Leonard had been eliminated at the first play-off hole when he could only manage a bogey-five at the 18th.
Ames, McNeill and Leonard all finished the regulation 72 holes at 18-under-par 270. Ames forced his way up the leaderboard with a barnstorming 64.
McNeill and Leonard both fired 67s. Ex-British Open champion Leonard had a chance to win on the final hole of regulation but saw his 16-footer lip out.
Meanwhile, Ames enjoyd the support of his 10-year-old son Ryan, who had some advice for his father as they walked to the 18th.
Ames said: "He said: 'Dad, you need to hole this'. I said: 'All right, I'll try my best'. It was a very casual round. It's Mickey Mouse, come on."
The 45-year-old Ames had four top-10 finishes coming into the week, but only one top-five - a share for fifth place at the Bob Hope Classic.
It was Ames' first play-off in 291 career starts on Tour and his first victory since winning at Disney in 2007.
With his second success in the event, Ames joins Jack Nicklaus, Larry Nelson, Tim Simpson, John Houston and Tiger Woods as multiple winners of the Children's Miracle Network Classic.
Thanks to his latest win, Ames finishes the money list in 37th place, which is his worst finish since 2005 when he was 83rd. Nevertheless, Ames earned over US$2 million for the fourth consecutive season on the PGA Tour.
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