Former Open Champion, Ben Curtis revealed his PGA Tour plight has forced him into taking out full time European Tour membership.
Curtis, 33 has paid a European Tour membership joining fee and expects to play the mandatory dozen Race to Dubai events including one on mainland Europe.
Curtis has become a card carrying European Tour member due to his ‘conditional’ status on the PGA Tour.
The Ohioan, who captured the 2003 Open Championship at Royal St. George’s, failed to record one top-10 in the States last year with Curtis’ best result being a share of 12th place in the Northern Trust Open.
Ben Curtis is led off for a drugs test after his Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship third round. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Curtis played in 23 events made the cut in 10 to finish outside the top-125 and in 133rd place on the money list.
“I’ve taken out European Tour membership and I intend to play these three events in the Middle East,” he said after carding a third round 70 to move to three under par in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
“I’ve played Dubai before but this is the first time I have played in Abu Dhabi and I’m playing also in Qatar next week.
“This is my first event since the Disney Classic at the end of the last year.
“It’s just that I am on a conditional status in the U.S. I will probably get about 15 to 20 starts on the PGA Tour.
“But that’s why I am over here in the Middle East to play golf and I will be playing a lot more in Europe.”
Aside from relaxing with his young family, Curtis has spent the off-season sending out requests to compete in PGA Tour events.
“It’s tough not knowing where I will be playing this year and really I won’t know to about week before if I am successful in receiving an invitation,” he said.
“And with regards to Europe, I can’t see it a problem playing the dozen or so you have to play.
”But it would nice to knock over another win early this year as a win takes care of everybody’s problems.”
The current 326th world ranked American is also looking for a first victory since capturing the 2004 84 Lumber Classic.
Curtis surprised the golfing world in 2003 in capturing golf’s oldest Major at Royal St. George’s.
And Curtis revealed he delighted in catching-up with fellow Royal St. George’s winner, Darren Clarke who is the reigning Open Champion.
“I ran in to him and while it was a brief exchange it was good to congratulate him,” said Curtis.
“We now have something in common for the rest of our lives which is nice.
“It was great to see him win The Open and while he’s struggling a bit at present you can tell he’s a great player and he’ll be back.
“With his talent he can win anywhere in any week.”
FOOTNOTE –
Waiting for Curtis after his round was Tournament Director, Miguel Vidador who had requested Curtis undergo a random drugs test. (see photo)
Curtis indicated it was the first occasion he had been asked to undergo such a test on the European Tour but had undertaken close to 30 on the PGA Tour.
