Ames enjoys Disney Classic victory

Canada's Stephen Ames won the Disney Classic on Sunday after triumphing in a three-way sudden death playoff with George McNeill and Justin Leonard at Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Leonard was close to winning the tournament on the final hole. He needed a birdie to clinch the victory but his 16-foot birdie putt spun out of the cup to send the event into a playoff.

Although McNeill found the rough with his drive on the first playoff hole, the par four 18th, he recovered thanks to an excellent chip with his third stroke and it was Leonard who was eliminated with his bogey after missing a 12-foot putt.

That left Ames, who had grabbed a share of the lead with a birdie on the 18th for an eight-under round of 64, and McNeill to go head-to-head on the par three 15th.

When the American failed from four feet with the ball spinning out of the cup he handed Ames, who had made par, the victory.

The win for Ames is his second in this event and his fourth PGA Tour triumph.

The disappointment was particular bitter for McNeill who lost in a playoff in Las Vegas last month and had the best putting record of any player this week.

'It's unfortunate for George. He played very well this fall season losing twice in two playoffs. It's just a matter of time before he breaks through. He's a good player,' said Ames.

'As in 2007, I'll say it again, this is like icing on the cake. The year was average. This just kind of adds up a little better, more to where I should be and makes it better to some extent,' he added.

Britain's Justin Rose, who had shared the third round lead, could only manage four under on Sunday and ended up a shot back off the lead along with Australian Nick Hern.

Another of the third round leaders, Sweden's Matthias Gronberg finished sixth after shooting a three-under 69.