Stephen Ames tees off on the first hole during the first round of the Galleri Classic at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., March 29, 2024. Stephen Ames of Canada birdied the 18th hole to complete a seven-shot comeback and repeat as champion of the Boeing Classic on Sunday in Snoqualmie, Wash.
Ames began the day far off the pace of Sweden’s Robert Karlsson, but Karlsson made five bogeys on the front nine to open the door for everyone behind him.
Ames carded a 5-under-par 67 for the second straight day, finishing the tournament at 11-under 205 for a one-stroke victory.
“At that stage when you’re seven back and you’re going, I guess the next goal probably was to try and finish top five,” Ames said. “Obviously the company that I was keeping with today, Ernie (Els) and Steven Alker, obviously renowned winners on the tour this year and last year.
“I think it was just going to be a good battle. It ended up being my group, the ones that we were playing against.”
Ames and South Africa’s Els teed off at the par-5 18th at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge tied for the lead, one shot ahead of their other playing partner, New Zealand’s Alker. Ames reached the green in two, while Els left his third shot precariously short of the hole and Alker found a greenside bunker.
Ames lagged his eagle putt from the front of the green to about 5 feet from the cup. After Alker recovered for a birdie and Els missed his birdie try, Ames sank the go-ahead birdie, his fourth over the last seven holes.
Ames, 60, won the Boeing Classic by seven shots last year. This was his third win of the season and the ninth of his PGA Tour Champions career.
Karlsson birdied his last two holes to rally for a 75 and share second place at 10 under with Els and Alker, who each shot a 68.
“I had a tough finish (Saturday) and kind of got over that and just knuckled down,” Alker said. “Obviously we needed some help from the leaders (at the) start of the day and we kind of got that. I was kind of surprised when we got through nine (holes) and we looked at the leaderboard and we were only two back.
“Yeah, it was just a great fight. It was a lot of fun, I really enjoy that back nine.”
Charlie Wi of South Korea (75 on Sunday) and Kirk Triplett (71) tied for fifth at 8 under. Paul Stankowski posted a 69 to get to sole possession of seventh at 7 under.
–Field Level Media
