Curtis rallies to maintain Texas lead

Updated April 22, 2012 10:37:05

Former British Open winner Ben Curtis managed to overcome a pair of double bogeys in the third round of the US PGA Tour's Texas Open to stretch his lead to three shots.

Curtis, who is chasing his fourth US PGA title, fired a 1-over-par 73 to be 9-under at the TPC San Antonio's Oaks Course.

Matt Every was alone in second place, three strokes adrift of Curtis after a 1-over 73.

South Koreans Noh Seung-Yul (68) and Charlie Wi (71) were tied for third with American John Huh.

Huh shot a 5-under 67, which tied for the low round of the day with Matt Kuchar on a day when high winds slowed the pace of play and saw just 19 of the 81 golfers who made the cut break par.

Curtis finished with two double bogeys on the front nine, including one on the par-five eighth, where his ball landed on another fairway.

He battled back with three birdies on the back.

Playing in his first career major, Curtis captured the 2003 British Open, emerging victorious as Denmark's Thomas Bjorn surrendered a late lead to finish tied for second with Vijay Singh.

AFP

Tags: golf, sport, united-states

First posted April 22, 2012 10:37:05

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Curtis holds two-shot lead in Texas Open

Updated April 22, 2012 10:21:11

American Ben Curtis held the clubhouse lead at the Texas Open after rain effected the second round in San Antonio, with more than 20 players unable to complete their round.

Curtis carded his second successive bogey free 5-under-par round of 67 at the TPC San Antonio to stand at 10-under for the tournament, two strokes clear of David Mathis, who also shot 67.

"I'm playing obviously really well," Curtis said.

"The key around here is if you can drive it straight, keep it in the fairway, give yourself a chance to get at some of these pins, with the slope of the greens and stuff like that, it makes it a lot easier from the fairway. I did that.

"I hit a lot of good iron shots. Left them, for the most part, on the right level and made a few putts and, you know, it was a pretty easy round two."

The 34-year-old Curtis, winner of the 2003 British Open, is searching for his first PGA Tour win in almost six years.

Matt Every, who set a new course record with his bogey-free 63 on Thursday, had a very different second round.

He failed to make a single birdie and gave up four bogeys through 12 holes, but grabbed back two strokes with birdies on the 14th and 16th before his round was halted due to bad light. He will finish the round early on Saturday (local time).

Cameron Tringale made a strong move with an impressive seven-under 65, avoiding any bogeys as he took advantage of the better early conditions with less wind.

The projected cut is at four over and among those expected to miss out includes Australian Stuart Appleby, who shot 81 on Friday, 10 strokes more than he shot in the first round.

American Boo Weekley withdrew after seven holes of his second round with an illness, joining Kevin Na and Kevin Chappell on the withdrawal list.

Reuters

Tags: sport, golf, united-states

First posted April 21, 2012 13:57:26

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Curtis ends six-year drought at Texas Open

Updated April 23, 2012 12:31:30

Former British Open champion Ben Curtis won his first US PGA Tour title since 2006 on Monday (AEST), holding on for an emotional two-shot victory over Matt Every and John Huh.

Curtis, the surprise winner of the British Open in 2003, birdied the par-five 18th for an even-par 72 on the day and a nine-under total of 279.

"It's been a tough couple of years," a teary Curtis said as he struggled for composure. "Just played through it, that's all you can do."

Curtis's lackluster results had seen him lose his full playing privileges on the US tour.

In 2011, he failed to finish in the top 10 even once for the first time since he joined the tour in 2003.

That is the year Curtis shot to prominence with his victory at the British Open, emerging with the triumph after a late collapse by Thomas Bjorn.

He won two US PGA titles in 2006, but had not won since.

Every carded a 71 for 281, but some missed chances on the greens cost him a chance at a first tour title. Huh, winner of the Mayakoba Classic already this season, seized a share of second with a 69.

Huh almost pulled out on Thursday, when he was nine over through his first eight holes of the tournament.

He bounced back with rounds of 68 and 67 to put himself in the mix on Sunday, but nevertheless said he would see a doctor about a sore wrist.

"I didn't really expect too much, final round," Huh said.

Every, meanwhile, had opened the tournament with a course-record 63 at the TPC San Antonio on Thursday.

On Sunday, however, four missed putts from within 10 feet helped prevent him from catching Curtis.

Curtis led by one stroke when he fired a wedge over the 17th green. He chipped to 23 feet than made the left-to-right uphill putt to save par.

After that, his 12-foot birdie at the last was icing on the cake.

Curtis claimed his fourth US PGA Tour title. The $1.11 million first prize comes with a two-year tour exemption.

"You think you're just staying positive and not worried about it, but I think deep down, you realize all the hard work you put in that, you know, finally paid off," Curtis said.

"When you come out here and win one, well, if I win one every year I have a great career. That would be true," Curtis said. "But, you know, to get to three, four, five wins -- you're a solid player. I just feel like you get yourself into contention and just have that belief, and anything can happen."

Defending champion Brendan Steele carded a 67 without a bogey to head a group tied for fourth on five-under 283. He was joined by South Korea's Charlie Wi (71), Bob Estes (69) and Brian Gay (70).

AFP

Tags: sport, golf, united-states

First posted April 23, 2012 12:31:30

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