Canada's Ames eases to six-shot victory at Players

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida, Mar 27 (Reuters) Canada's Stephen Ames cruised to his second PGA Tour title with a six-shot victory at the Players Championship.

Despite brutal conditions at the Stadium Course on lightning-fast greens, the 41-year-old held off some of the biggest names in golf with a five-under-par 67.

Although the Trinidad-born professional made a rare slip-up by double-bogeying the par-four 10th, he reeled off five birdies and an eagle-three at the 16th to finish on 14-under 274 yesterday.

World number three Retief Goosen finished second after sinking a 12-foot birdie putt at the last for a 69.

Americans Jim Furyk (72) and Pat Perez (71), Swede Henrik Stenson (73) and PGA Tour rookie Camilo Villegas of Colombia (71) tied for third at five under.

Reuters PDS VP0553