Stephen Ames wins weather-shortened Chubb Classic

Editor's note: Due to storms impacting Naples and surrounding regions in Southwest Florida and the forecast showing weather to strengthen throughout the day Sunday, PGA TOUR Champions made the decision to cancel the third round of competition at the Chubb Classic presented by SERVPRO. In accordance with the PGA TOUR Champions Regulations, the Chubb Classic’s results through 36 holes will serve as final standings. Stephen Ames claims his seventh PGA TOUR Champions title and continues his excellent form into 2024 after winning four times last season. The Canadian carded nine birdies in his second-round 64 to build a three-shot gap over Rocco Mediate. Ames finished fifth in the 2023 Charles Schwab Cup Money list.

Things to Know

• Stephen Ames looks to successfully convert a 36-hole lead/co-lead into victory for a fifth consecutive time
• Following an opening-round 9-under 63 to step out to a 3-stroke lead, Rocco Mediate birdies No. 18 in round two to stand alone in second place, three strokes back
• Looking to extend his streak of top-10 finishes at the Chubb Classic to a perfect 7-for-7, Fred Couples fires a 5-under 67 in round two to move from T53 after round one to T21

Stephen Ames, -13

• Highlighted by four consecutive birdies on Nos. 5-8, and nine total birdies, posted an 8-under 64 in his ninth Chubb Classic start; previous top-10s in the event: T6/2019, T9/2020
• Three strokes marks the largest 36-hole lead in a scheduled 54-hole event on PGA TOUR Champions since Ames led by three strokes en route to winning the 2023 Mitsubishi Electric Championship
• Opened with a bogey-free 5-under 67; has just two bogeys in his last 72 holes, dating to round two of the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai
• Of eight 36-hole leads/co-leads in a 54-hole event on PGA TOUR Champions, has converted for the win on five occasions (including each of the past four instances)
• Four of his six PGA TOUR Champions victories were secured in the 2023 season
• Comes off a T8 in his most recent start at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai

Other Notes

• First-round leader Rocco Mediate posted a 1-under 71 in round two and will begin the final round alone in second place at 10-under 134
• Making his fifth Chubb Classic start, 2021 champion Steve Stricker signed for a 5-under 67 to move to 8-under 136 (T7); highlighted by an eagle-2 at the par-4 fifth hole, he’s bidding bid for a fourth top-2 finish in the event: T2/2018, T11/2019, 1st/2021, T2/2023
• With a 70-67 start to reach solo possession of ninth place at 7-under 137, Davis Love III seeks his seventh top10 finish on PGA TOUR Champions and first since a T7 at the 2022 Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS
• Seeking a seventh top-10 finish in as many Chubb Classic starts, 2010 and 2017 champion Fred Couples made just one par on his inward nine holes en route to a 5-under 67 (six birdies, one par, one bogey and one double bogey); enters the final round T21 at 4-under 140
• David Duval withdrew prior to round two; John Daly withdrew during round two