Stephen Ames beat Justin Leonard and George McNeill in a playoff to win the Children’s Miracle Network Classic for the second time in three years. Ames shot 64 on Disney’s Magnolia Course to move up from eighth place in the final round.
Ames got off to a great start, making four birdies in the first seven holes. His only bogey of the day came at the par-5, eighth hole. After the turn, Ames made three straight birdies on the 12th, 13th and 14th holes. He added another on the 16th hole before dropping the final one on the 18th hole to get to 18-under par for the week.
With Ames in the clubhouse, Leonard and McNeill couldn’t get one more birdie to move into the top spot. Leonard, who shot a bogey-free 67, made four birdies on the front nine but, didn’t make another after the 11th hole. Leonard thought he made a 16-foot birdie attempt on the final hole before watching it lip-out. McNeill started great with birdies on the second and fifth holes, with an eagle at the fourth. But, after a birdie on the 10th hole, he made bogeys on the 11th and 12th holes. He did recover with birdies on the 13th and 14th holes but could get one more to pass Ames.
In the playoff, Leonard left two putts short on the first sudden-death hole and was eliminated as Ames and McNeill made pars. With Ames in the hole with par, McNeill’s six-foot putt to force a third playoff hole spun around the cup before popping out and resting on the edge.
Finishing a shot out of the playoff were Justin Rose and Nick O’Hern at 17-under par. Mathias Gronberg shot 69 in the final round to finish in sixth place, two shots behind the leaders. Brian Davis and D. A. Points tied for seventh place. Zach Johnson and Carl Pettersson finished tied for ninth place at 14-under par.
Playoff win for Ames at Children’s Miracle Network Classic
Ames got off to a great start, making four birdies in the first seven holes. His only bogey of the day came at the par-5, eighth hole. After the turn, Ames made three straight birdies on the 12th, 13th and 14th holes. He added another on the 16th hole before dropping the final one on the 18th hole to get to 18-under par for the week.
With Ames in the clubhouse, Leonard and McNeill couldn’t get one more birdie to move into the top spot. Leonard, who shot a bogey-free 67, made four birdies on the front nine but, didn’t make another after the 11th hole. Leonard thought he made a 16-foot birdie attempt on the final hole before watching it lip-out. McNeill started great with birdies on the second and fifth holes, with an eagle at the fourth. But, after a birdie on the 10th hole, he made bogeys on the 11th and 12th holes. He did recover with birdies on the 13th and 14th holes but could get one more to pass Ames.
In the playoff, Leonard left two putts short on the first sudden-death hole and was eliminated as Ames and McNeill made pars. With Ames in the hole with par, McNeill’s six-foot putt to force a third playoff hole spun around the cup before popping out and resting on the edge.
Finishing a shot out of the playoff were Justin Rose and Nick O’Hern at 17-under par. Mathias Gronberg shot 69 in the final round to finish in sixth place, two shots behind the leaders. Brian Davis and D. A. Points tied for seventh place. Zach Johnson and Carl Pettersson finished tied for ninth place at 14-under par.