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Downpour can't stop Curtis ending drought

28/06/2006

After nearly three years of waiting to follow up his maiden title at the Open in 2003 Ben Curtis' further 12-hour delay could not divert his attention.

The American, who shocked pundits and fans alike when he came from nowhere to triumph at Royal St George's three years ago, was finally confirmed as the winner of the Booz Allen Classic in Maryland on Tuesday.

Curtis' final round was interrupted by inclement weather twice but he kept his cool and his concentration to finally close out a one-under par round of 70 to clinch the trophy by five shots.

"It was just a big relief to get it done and finally get this win," he said. "I've been waiting three years for it and it finally came."

The American could even afford two straight bogeys at the 17th and 18th holes as he cruised past the finishing line.

"I played probably the best I've ever played for three rounds and 16 holes and then the last two were a little bit of a struggle," the 29-year-old added.

The tournament was the first to extend into a sixth day since 1980, when Jim Colbert triumphed at the marathon Tucson Open in Arizona.

Curtis had been fairly comfortable throughout the tournament and deservedly took the title, finishing 20 under after leading the field throughout all four rounds of the PGA event.

Billy Andrade, Padraig Harrington, Nick O'Hearn and Steve Stricker all finished equal-second at 15-under-par.

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