The Birmingham News
By Ty G. Aallushuski

When Lee Williams tapped in his par putt on No. 18 Sunday to win the Alabama Open, it meant more than just a $12,000 winner's check.

Williams tipped his hat to a group of supporters that had gathered around the 18th green after his final-round 66 gave him a five-stroke victory. Williams was 16-under for the tournament.

The group included Williams' wife, Emily, who had never seen her husband win a professional event before Sunday. Williams' parents also made the drive from Alexander City to Ballantrae Golf Club in Pelham to see their son play for the first time all year.

Williams' grandfather, a cousin and a close friend also had the opportunity to watch him earn his first win of 2008 during the three-day Dixie Section tournament.

"It's always great when you can win close to home," said Williams, a former All-American at Auburn University and a two-time member of the U.S. Walker Cup team. "It makes the celebration a lot better."

Before Sunday, Williams' best finish of 2008 came on the Tarheel Tour at the Lake Hickory Open, where he finished tied for sixth.

The key to Williams' victory was his play on the back nine.

Back nine:

Williams made the turn tied with Jacob Collinsworth of Fairhope for the lead, but responded with four consecutive birdies to open the back nine.

"I don't know if (the back nine) fits me better or what," said Williams. "Maybe it's because I birdied 10 and 11 every day so I was getting off to a good start. The back nine was really my saving grace all week."

Williams' final round included seven birdies, five of which came on the back nine. He shot a 5-under 31 on the back Sunday.

After finishing tied for sixth at the 2006 Alabama Open at Ballantrae, Williams skipped the event last year. He said his putter made the biggest difference on the Bermuda greens this time around.

"I was struggling with the greens (in'06)," said Williams. "They're pretty grainy and you really just have to focus on what the grain is doing. This year I was able to just see the grain better and read the putts better."

Williams has conditional status on the Nationwide Tour and said he would likely play several of those events the rest of the summer. He also will continue to play on the Tarheel Tour in North Carolina.