Idaho... Not Just Potatos
Posted on 07/21/2003 6:51:06 AM PDT by bedolido
SANDWICH, England (Reuters) - American rookie Ben Curtis defied almost every notion of golfing logic to win the British Open Sunday, but in one respect he was the best-prepared player at Royal St George's.
The 26-year-old from Ohio, a 300-1 outsider, had played just two rounds of links course golf before the start of the week and was ranked a lowly 396th in the world.
But he got in more practice than anyone else by being the first player to arrive at Sandwich, the move paying off as he held on to win the world's oldest championship by a shot.
"We are absolutely delighted that somebody can come out of the blue and win the championship," tournament committee chairman David Pepper told a news conference Monday.
"Ben Curtis was the first person to arrive at the golf course on the Saturday morning, and he wondered whether he was allowed to play the course on that day, and wondered where it might be possible for him to stay.
"He took the time to arrive early played more practice rounds than anyone else, and he had never played links course golf before."
Royal and Ancient secretary Peter Dawson was one of the first people to speak with Curtis on that Saturday morning, five days before the tournament's opening round.
"I actually walked a couple of holes with him and his fiance (Candace) on the Saturday," he said. "The three of us were the only people out there.
TERRIFIC CONVERSATION
"When we spoke, it was all about why we drive on the wrong side of the road and stuff like that, it was a terrific conversation.
"Little did I foresee that, on the Sunday night, he would be accepting the Claret Jug."
Curtis had qualified for Royal St George's as one of the top eight finishers at last month's Western Open who were not already exempt, and was hardly known by the 12 American journalists covering that tournament.
But the PGA Tour rookie became one of the most unlikely major winners in history Sunday, holding off the likes of Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Davis Love III and Thomas Bjorn down the stretch, despite dropping five shots in the last six holes.
His closing 69 proved to be too good for the stumbling finish by Denmark's Bjorn, who threw away a three-shot lead over the last four holes to end up with a one-over-par 72.
Singh, with a 70, tied for second with Bjorn while Woods failed to make his expected charge over the treacherous second nine at Sandwich, returning a final-round 71.
"That was a remarkable thing," said Dawson. "Ben Curtis got ahead over the first nine but, when he started leaking shots on the back nine, I thought the more experienced players would come through.
"But they stared to leak shots as well. It was a hell of a gritty putt that he holed on 18, a left-to-right from about 10 foot. It was right in the hole off the putter.
GREAT THINGS
"Let's hope he goes on to great things."
Curtis, who became the first player to win on his British Open debut since compatriot Tom Watson at Carnoustie in 1975, will have a clearer idea of his staggering achievement after waking up this morning as the world's 35th-ranked golfer.
For much of Sunday's final round, he was completely 'in the zone', fully immersed in his own world and striking the ball with a relaxed tempo.
He was five under for the day after 11 holes and never appeared to lose control, even when he started faltering over the tough Royal St George's finish.
"I was just in a zone and very focused on what I was doing," he said. "I just can't describe how I feel."
He had told his fiance the previous night that he was going to win.
"You have to believe that," he added. "I've won before, just not at this level.
"Knowing that I'll be able to tee it up at every major for the next -- I don't know how many years -- it's going to be awesome."
But not as awesome as Curtis's shock victory at the 132nd British Open.
Idaho... Not Just Potatos
I have a bag of them in my kitchen that have started growing. Does that count?
The 26-year-old from Ohio
I always thought you non-Idahoans confused Iowa and Idaho...Ohio's being confused with Idaho is a new one to me. :^)
I misposted that article... But I am an Idahoan.
LOL! Poopy 80's colors... ;)
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