Ames lands first title

Stephen Ames’ circuitous trip to his first PGA Tour victory ended outside Chicago.

Ames captured the Western Open by two strokes, shooting a steady one-under-par 70 at the Cog Hill Golf and Country Club.

A native of Trinidad & Tobago who resides in Calgary, Ames broke through in his 166th PGA Tour start. At 10-under 274, he outdistanced Steve Lowery, who also closed with a 70.

Ames made good on a promise to his two sons that he would end the drought this week.

“It is very nice to win this tournament with all its history,” he said.

“I know many of golf’s great champions are on this trophy and it’s nice to put my name alongside them.”

Australia’s Mark Hensby and Britain’s Luke Donald, a local favourite who attended Northwestern, tied for third at seven-under 277.

“I am very comfortable playing here and it is like a home week for me,” said Donald, whose 67 matched the best round of the day.

But the afternoon belonged to Ames, who had eight top-10 finishes and nearly £1.1m (€1.64m) in earnings this year but never doubted his ability to win on golf’s elite tour.

“Yes, I never thought that way at all, I just love this game too much,” he said.

If there is a positive for Lowery, it’s the fact his second-place finish will send him to the British Open.

“I will probably withdraw from a couple of tournaments here and go play the British Open.”