PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Bob Sowards of Dublin, Ohio, continued his pursuit of a fourth PGA Professional Player of the Year Award by winning his second straight PGA Tournament Series event Thursday (Dec. 6) at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

A teaching professional at the New Albany (Ohio) Country Club, Sowards shot 70-71—141 on the Dye Course with four birdies and three bogeys in the final round to win by two strokes over Danny Balin of Rockville, Md. (75-68), and Ryan Kalista of Old Greenwich, Conn. (73-70), who tied for second at 143 among 32 starters. Sowards had five birdies and three bogeys the first day to lead by a stroke.

"It wasn't easy, but I didn't have to take many chances because the fellows I was playing with weren't making any moves," said Sowards, who made five birdies on the eight par-5 opportunities over the two days.

Rod Perry of Port Orange, Fla., and John Shaw of Jackpot, Nev., who played with Sowards Thursday, tied for fourth at 144 on final round scores of 72 and 73.

Sowards and Balin are tied for second in the Player of the Year standings with 1,015 points each. Perry, winner of the Tournament Series opener Nov. 29, is leading with 1,127.5 points. Each Tournament Series win is worth 50 points and points will also be awarded to the top 10 on the money list at the end of the series, Dec.17.

After earning his second $1,700 winners check this week, Sowards is the money leader with $3,940. Perry is second at $3,402.50.

"I know what I need to do," Sowards said. "It's just a matter of doing it. With three events left, I probably need to win all of them if Rod finishes in the top five on the money list."

Sowards was the Tournament Series winner Monday on the adjacent Wanamaker Course. He was the PGA Professional Player of the Year for three consecutive years, 2003-05.

The PGA Tournament Series is the last opportunity to win Player of the Year points.