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Storm delays Curtis victory

26/06/2006

American Ben Curtis will resume his final round of the Booz Allen Classic today with an eight-shot lead that, barring a collapse of biblical proportions, should see him collect his first title in three years.

The 2003 British Open champion reached the 12th hole at the TPC Avenel Potomac in Maryland last night before storms forced an early end to play.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington is his nearest rival for the prize but he is on 15-under-par through 13, well behind Curtis' 23-under leading pace.

Rounds of 62, 65 and 67 have seen Curtis top the $5 million event's leaderboard from the off and with four birdies already bagged on his final round, another low score looks destined.

Yet speaking after coming off the course yesterday, Curtis admitted that he is refusing to allow complacency to creep in ahead of the closing holes to be completed later today.

"I've still got to play my game," he said. "I don't want to go to sleep tonight thinking, 'Oh, you've got it won,' because I've still got six and a half holes to go. It's not going to be easy, but I have to go to bed confident and know that I can do it."

Meanwhile, sharing third place one shot further back are Australian Nick O'Hern American quartet Billy Andrade, Ben Crane, Jeff Gove and Steve Stricker, although all are yet to enter the clubhouse.

Brian Davis is one of only two Englishmen competing in Maryland and he is currently in tied 27th on five under.

Lee Westwood, his fellow countryman, had earlier continued to struggle in the US and missed the weekend cut.

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