Paula Morton, a 20.6 handicap golfer from Greenbrier, Tenn., shot a net 67 to win the 2008 PGA Tour Superstore World Amateur Handicap Championship at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club in Myrtle Beach last week.

Morton entered the 18th hole tied with Percy Hayes, of Granbury, Texas, at four-under-par.

After her third shot on the 18th found the lake guarding the front of the green, Morton took a drop and a penalty stroke, then holed a shot from 75 yards out to win the title of "World's Amateur Champion."

Morton is the fourth woman champion in the 25-year history of the World Am and follows 2007 World Am champion June Wang as

back-to-back female champions.

Ironically, in 2004, the World Am partnered with Centex Homes' Myrtle Beach Division to create the Centex Homes Villa Quest. Morton sank a 20-foot putt in the semifinals and followed with a 10-foot putt in the finals to win a Myrtle Beach golf villa valued at $125,000.

"I'm very excited to win the championship," Morton said.

"I had a great week in Myrtle Beach and I would like to thank the World Am staff and The Dunes Club for running a wonderful golf tournament.

"Going into the 18th hole, I had no idea where I was in the standings. I just focused on my game and didn't worry about where I stood. I won a condo in the 2004 Centex Villa Quest and winning the 2008 world championship is just as rewarding. I'm excited to be the world's amateur champion."

David Lamont, of Annandale, Va., and Christopher Clarke, of Springhill, Va., captured the International Pairs Championship by shooting a net 55 in Friday's championship round.

Lamont and Clarke won an all-expense paid trip to St. Andrews to represent the United States in the 2009 International Pairs World Finals.

Clarke also captured his flight and competed in the championship round where he finished in a tie for 37th after shooting an 82 on the day.

Hosted by Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday, the World Amateur is a 72-hole tournament played on more than 50 Myrtle Beach area golf courses each August. Participants compete for the right to be crowned "World Amateur Golf Champion" and to win a share of the $250,000 in prizes given away at the tournament.

Players are flighted according to their handicaps.

At the conclusion of the 72-holes, flight winners advanced to the 18-hole world championship playoff at the renowned Dunes Golf and Beach Club.

The 41 finalists represented 21 states and three countries. Texas placed the most championship round finalists with six, followed by Pennsylvania with three.

Always scheduled the week before Labor Day, the 26th annual event will be held Aug. 2428, 2009.