Curtis hangs on for victory at Lumber Classic

FARMINGTON – Ben Curtis hung on to earn a hard-fought two-stroke victory at the 84 Lumber Classic on Sunday.

In the final staging of the event, 2003 British Open champion Curtis made two late birdies to clinch his third victory on the PGA Tour. He carded a 70 to finish at 14-under-par 274 in demanding conditions at the Mystic Rock course at Nemocolin Resort.Fellow American Charles Howell (72) claimed second place at 12-under 276 with compatriot Brett Quigley another shot back in third.Curtis, 29, became the first American player aged less than 30 to record three victories on the PGA Tour.Thirteen players started the final round within three shots of the lead, and it was not until Curtis birdied the 15th and sank a 50-foot monster putt at the 16th hole for another birdie that a decisive move was made.Widely regarded as a one-hit wonder after his shock victory at the 2003 British Open, Curtis went missing for nearly three years but he has now won twice in three months on the PGA Tour.”I was in control of my emotions all day,” Curtis told reporters.”I just didn’t putt well on the front nine, had a couple of three-putts, but I made nice par-saves on 10 and 11 and that got me going, gave me some confidence.”Making long putts when you least expect it, like the putt on 16, that’s what it takes to win,” said Curtis, who collected US$828 000 to jump to 22nd on the PGA Tour money list.”I got a little lucky there.I just kind of planned for par.I hit a bad wedge shot in and was concentrating on getting good speed (with the putt) and it went in.”That cushion allowed Curtis the luxury of bogeying the 17th and still cruising to victory with a par at the last, where he received a surprise greeting from wife Candace, who is expecting their first child next week.Nampa-ReutersHe carded a 70 to finish at 14-under-par 274 in demanding conditions at the Mystic Rock course at Nemocolin Resort.Fellow American Charles Howell (72) claimed second place at 12-under 276 with compatriot Brett Quigley another shot back in third.Curtis, 29, became the first American player aged less than 30 to record three victories on the PGA Tour.Thirteen players started the final round within three shots of the lead, and it was not until Curtis birdied the 15th and sank a 50-foot monster putt at the 16th hole for another birdie that a decisive move was made.Widely regarded as a one-hit wonder after his shock victory at the 2003 British Open, Curtis went missing for nearly three years but he has now won twice in three months on the PGA Tour.”I was in control of my emotions all day,” Curtis told reporters.”I just didn’t putt well on the front nine, had a couple of three-putts, but I made nice par-saves on 10 and 11 and that got me going, gave me some confidence.”Making long putts when you least expect it, like the putt on 16, that’s what it takes to win,” said Curtis, who collected US$828 000 to jump to 22nd on the PGA Tour money list.”I got a little lucky there.I just kind of planned for par.I hit a bad wedge shot in and was concentrating on getting good speed (with the putt) and it went in.”That cushion allowed Curtis the luxury of bogeying the 17th and still cruising to victory with a par at the last, where he received a surprise greeting from wife Candace, who is expecting their first child next week.Nampa-Reuters