DES MOINES (Iowa) — Stephen Ames and Steve Stricker shuffled their way around the 18th green, calculating which strategy would be best to end the Principal Charity Classic, on Sunday.
Ames, who had a one stroke lead going into the final hole, knew that he was in the clear when Stricker missed the putt. The 2021 Principal Charity Classic champion was relieved not to have to play for the trophy.
Ames stated, “I knew that we wouldn’t be going to a play-off because Steve (Stricker), missed his putt.” In the past, Steve had made the putts on 15, 16, and here. It worked out well for me.
Ames ended the week with a score of 66,66,67-200. Ames birdied four of the holes on the front and two on the back. This gave him the cushion he needed to win despite a bogey at No. 14.
Ames won the Mitsubishi Electric Classic and Trophy Hassan II, both in February. This was his third PGA Tour Champions victory of the year.
Ames won the Principal Charity Classic for his second time in less than one month. The $300,000 prize money brings Ames’ total Charles Schwab Cup earnings to $1,138.164. He ranked fourth before the PCC with three top-10 finishes including two wins and a ninth place finish at the Insperity Invitational.
Ames replied, “Everything” when asked about what is working well at the moment. At this stage, I’m doing the same thing as last year…and the putter may be a little hotter at times.
Ames held on to the victory, but the round of Sunday was his highest score in the competition. Ames was fortunate that the other leaders also struggled.
Stricker won the Senior PGA last week. He had a bogey free day, but he birdied only four times.
Stricker won the Senior PGA Championship and the Regions Tradition in 2023. He also has three victories this year including the Mitsubishi Electric Championship.
Ames stated, “There’s no doubt that it was a fight today.” Steve’s play this year tells you it would be a great battle. The fact that I won is what makes me feel the most fulfilled right now.
Herron, who was tied for the first place at the end of the final round, lost a little bit on Sunday. He made three bogeys in the first five golf holes, and fell eight positions to finish ninth.
Ames had the advantage, and others outside of that group also performed well. But it wasn’t enough. Richard Green had the highest score (63), while Miguel Angel Jimenez and Ken Duke scored 64s on the final round.
After two rounds, the defending champion Jerry Kelly tied Stricker in second place. He scored 65 in the final round, avoiding bogeys and collecting seven birdies.
Steves could have prevented the Steves from influencing the results of the players who moved into the top three or climbed the rankings.
Stephen (or Steve, or Steven) won seven of the 12 last tournaments in the circuit during this season. Steven Alker, Ames, and Sticker each have two wins in the last four. Steven Alker has won the Insperity invitational in April.
Ames is proud to be part of this group.
“Popular names I don’t even know.” “I have no idea what the Steves are doing, but it’s a fun fact.”
