Headlines of ‘Ben Who?” adorned the back pages of newspapers around the globe after the 2003 Open Championship.

Ben Curtis was ranked 396th in the world, rated 300-1 to win in his very first Major, and also become the first in 90-years to win a Major at his first attempt.

Ben Curtis (far left) at the Former Champions parade - 2010 Open Championship, St. Andrews (Photo: Fatiha Betscher)

In July, Curtis will return to the Sandwich course where he came from one shot back heading to the final day to defeat the hapless Thomas Bjorn.

Bjorn was leading by two but came unstuck when he took three shots to get out of a 16th hole bunker.

The Dane then dropped a shot at the next to throw open the victory to Curtis.

But eight years on and the 33-year old Curtis, who is contesting today’s (SUN) concluding Omega Dubai Desert Classic, says he had qualms with the banner headlines.

“Considering my place on the world rankings the headlines in the British papers had every right to ask ‘Ben Who?’,” said Curtis after a third round 72 in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.

“Hell, even the people back home in the United States didn’t know who I was.

“But then they who I was come Sunday night.

“It was my first Major, and I had never ever played links golf before, but I was just so relaxed.”

Curtis said he has ruled out contesting July’s Barclays Scottish Open at Castle Stuart and in the week before The Open in Kent.

“I’m only into one Major at this stage and that’s The Open but I’ve always made a point of not playing before a Major,” he said.

“But I’ve heard and read good reports about the new Castle Stuart and even though playing a links course like that would be good preparation.”