Ames won't defend title at Disney due to back injury

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CALGARY, Alberta (AP) -- Stephen Ames's back injury will keep him from defending his title at next month's Children's Miracle Network Classic in Florida.

The Canadian said in a statement Friday that he decided to skip the Nov. 11-14 tournament in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., after his doctor advised him to rest his back for a few weeks to avoid long-term problems.

Ames won the PGA TOUR's season-ending event in 2007 and 2009.

He has been bothered by back problems in the past and withdrew from last week's event in Las Vegas after playing 27 holes.

The 46-year-old Ames has earned $916,527 this season -- his lowest total since 2001. He finished with just one top-10 finish, a sixth at the Transitions Championship in March.