Ben Curtis claimed his first tournament victory since the 2003 Open Championship at Royal St George’s when he won the Booz Allen Classic on the US PGA Tour in June.
Curtis was seven strokes clear with two holes to play when the final round was suspended because of rain. The American could even afford to bogey his closing holes when play resumed to card a one-under 70 to end on 20 under.
"It was just a big relief to get it done and finally get this win. I've been waiting three years for it and it finally came," he said.
Once he made the breakthrough, Curtis won again in September at the Lumber Classic and his prize money for 2006 topped US$2 million.
Curtis stunned golf with his triumph at Royal St George's in 2003 when he was ranked just 396th in the world. He became the first golfer since Francis Ouimet in the 1913 US Open to win on his major championship debut. Curtis’ best finish in a professional tournament prior to the Open Championship had been 13th place at the Western Open.
