Ames outlasts Couples for Skins
TRINIDAD-born Canadian Stephen Ames sank a six-foot birdie worth $US270,000 ($345,711) on the third play-off hole to win the Skins Game today (AEDT).
Ames took home eight skins worth 590,000 dollars from the annual 18-hole, made-for-television four-man shootout for $US1 million (1.3 million).
US veteran Fred Couples, a five-time winner, took nine skins worth $US385,000 ($493,000) while compatriots John Daly took one skin worth $US25,000
($32,061) and Fred Funk, who won a record $US925,000 ($1.18 million) last year, left empty handed this time.
In the Skins Game format, players compete for money on each hole rather than low score for the round. A player must win a hole outright to get a skin. If a hole is tied, the skin and money carries over to the next hole.
Each of the first six holes were worth $US25,000 ($32,032). Holes seven through 12 were worth $US50,000 with 13 through 17 worth $US70,000 each and the 18th worth $US200,000.
Couples was inches left on a four-metre birdie putt at the 18th hole that would have brought him the final cash and an overall victory, sending all four men to a play-off for the weekend’s biggest single jackpot.
All four reached the second play-off hole, the par-four 1st, where Couples missed a three-metre birdie and Ames followed by sinking a slightly shorter birdie putt.
Ames, who did not claim a Skin in yesterday’s first nine holes, would have taken the money and the victory right there but Daly matched the birdie from six feet to join Ames at the third play-off hole.
Daly found a bunker off the tee, blasted into the fairway and missed a long par putt while Ames dropped a birdie putt for the victory in his Skins debut.
While not taking the overall crown, Couples stretched his Skins Game records to 13 appearances, 86 skins and $US3.9 million ($5 million) in prize money. He has won only $US3.47 million ($4.5 million) in his 85 appearances in major championships.
Couples captured six skins worth $US175,000 ($224,225) in yesterday first nine holes but battled Ames for money from the start on the back nine today.
After Ames took six skins worth $US320,000 ($410,000) to seize the lead, Couples answered by taking two skins for $US140,000 ($179,374) by winning the 15th hole, but remained $US5000 ($6407) behind Ames with three holes to play.
Couples put himself into his customary position atop the leaderboard by scoring an eagle at the par-five 16th, eliminating Daly and Funk from any chance at taking the most money.
A long birdie putt at the 17th appeared to have brought Couples another $US70,000 ($89,697) skin but Ames topped him to halve the hole, setting the stage for the final drama.
Agence France-Presse