Stephen Ames celebrates 60th birthday with successful title defense in Mitsubishi Electric Classic

DULUTH, Ga. (AP) — Stephen Ames celebrated his 60th birthday with a successful title defense in the Mitsubishi Electric Classic, closing with a 5-under 67 on Sunday for his eighth PGA Tour Champions victory.

A stroke behind Paul Broadhurst after matching the tournament record Saturday with a 64, Ames had two eagles in the final round. He won by four strokes, finishing at 14-under 202 at TPC Sugarloaf for his record third victory in the event.

Broadhurst, the 58-year-old Englishman coming off a victory last week in the Invited Celebrity Classic, closed with a 72 to tie for second with Doug Barron (69). K.J. Choi (70) and Steven Alker (71) were 9 under.

Ames became the first multiple winner this year on the tour, also taking the Chubb Classic in February. He has six victories in his last 29 starts after winning twice in his first 175 — the first at TPC Sugarloaf in 2017 — on the 50-and-over tour. A naturalized Canadian citizen from Trinidad and Tobago, Ames won four times on the PGA Tour.

Ames opened with a birdie on the par-4 first, eagled the par-5 sixth and par-4 13th and birdied the par-4 14th. He bogeyed the par-4 15th and 17th and birdied the par-5 18th.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Stephen Ames celebrates with his caddie after making his putt on the 18th green on the 18th hole during the final round of the Mitsubishi Classic senior golf tournament at TPC Sugarloaf, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Duluth, Ga. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Stephen Ames prepares his shot in the first hole as he tees off on the first hole during the final round of the Mitsubishi Classic senior golf tournament at TPC Sugarloaf, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Duluth, Ga. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Stephen Ames shakes hands with Paul Broadhurst after finishing the final round of the Mitsubishi Classic senior golf tournament at TPC Sugarloaf, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Duluth, Ga. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Stephen Ames tees off on the third hole during the final round of the Mitsubishi Classic senior golf tournament at TPC Sugarloaf, on Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Duluth, Ga. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Stephen Ames shows the trophy to the media after winning the Mitsubishi Classic senior golf tournament at TPC Sugarloaf on Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Duluth, Ga. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Stephen Ames kisses the trophy as he poses for the media after winning the Mitsubishi Classic senior golf tournament at TPC Sugarloaf on Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Duluth, Ga. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Stephen Ames reacts after making his putt on the 18th green on the 18th hole during the final round of the Mitsubishi Classic senior golf tournament at TPC Sugarloaf, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Duluth, Ga. (Miguel Martinez/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

VARANASI, India (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in the holy Hindu city of Varanasi on Tuesday surrounded by his party leaders and supporters as he formally filed paperwork to run in an ongoing election that is a referendum on his decade in power.

The 73-year-old leader hopes to retain his seat in Varanasi, the constituency from where he ran and won, first in 2014 and then again in 2019.

India’s gigantic, six-week-long general election began in April, with voting set to go on until June 1 before votes are counted on June 4. Nearly 970 million people are eligible to vote, making this the world’s largest democratic election.

Most polls show Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party are leading in the race for seats in the lower house of parliament over their main challenger, a broad opposition alliance led by the Indian National Congress and powerful regional parties. The alliance has not yet announced its candidate for prime minister.

The filing of nomination papers is a procedural step that will allow Modi to contest the election. Candidates register their nominations in phases based on when the constituency votes, with Varanasi set to vote on June 1.

Modi is considered a champion of the country’s Hindu majority, who make up 80% of India's 1.4 billion population. He has overseen rapid economic growth during his 10 years in power and his supporters credit him with improving India's global standing.

But critics say he’s also undermined India’s democracy and its status as a secular nation with attacks by Hindu nationalists against the country’s minorities, and a shrinking space for dissent and free media. And his political opponents have raised questions over his government's economic record, pointing to high unemployment and inflation despite strong growth.

Ahead of filing his nomination, Modi led a roadshow in the city on Monday, drawing thousands of supporters.

They cheered “Hail Modi!” as his car made its way through the streets, where BJP supporters wearing saffron caps and waving party flags greeted him. Rose petals rained down on the prime minister as he smiled at the crowds. Some onlookers were perched atop buildings to catch a glimpse of the procession.

The constituency of Varanasi has around 1.7 million voters. Modi, who is expected to hold on to his seat, is up against Ajai Rai, who is representing the regional Samajwadi Party, which is in alliance with the opposition Congress party in the state. Also in the fray is Athar Jamal Lari from the Bahujan Samaj Party.

The holy city is located on the banks of the revered Ganges River and is part of Uttar Pradesh state, India's most populous, with around 200 million people.

It is an especially crucial state in Indian elections as it sends the largest number of MPs to Parliament, and has voted for Modi's BJP in the last two elections.

Banerjee reported from Lucknow, India.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, center, performs rituals at Kashi Vishwanath Temple as Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh sits behind him after a roadshow in Varanasi, India, Monday, May 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar)

Supporters of Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) participate in a roadshow by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi, India, Monday, May 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets supporters at Kashi Vishwanath Temple after his roadshow in Varanasi, India, Monday, May 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar)

Supporters of Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) react as they get a glimpse of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his roadshow in Varanasi, India, Monday, May 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a white waistcoat, and Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh greet supporters from a vehicle during a roadshow in Varanasi, India, Monday, May 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi prays at Kashi Vishwanath Temple after a roadshow in Varanasi, India, Monday, May 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar)