Player Profile: Ben Curtis

On Sunday the American Ben Curtis won his first tournament in six years at the Texas Open. This week's player profile explores this talented player's recent career milestones as he finds himself back in the limelight once again.

Curtis was born in 1977 in Columbus, Ohio. His family is responsible for the management of Mill Creek Golf Club in the town of Ostrander where he grew up, and with this golfing influence around him from a young age it was only natural for the young Curtis to take up the game, following in a family tradition.

Following a successful college golf career while enrolled at Kent State University, Curtis enjoyed much success on the amateur circuit, winning the 1999 and 2000 Ohio Amateur and the 2000 Players Amateur. It was in the 2000 season that he made his professional debut, playing on the Hooter's Tour where he cut his teeth on competitive golf for the next two seasons.

In 2002, Curtis earned his PGA Tour card for the following year's season. He is one of the few players who skipped the Nationwide Tour altogether, having made his debut in the 2003 PGA Tour season. His first year on the Tour saw Curtis weathering the competition at the highest level of professional golf successfully, with a 13th place finish at the Western Open setting the stage for his excellent performance at the 2003 British Open.

Entering the Open ranked 396th in the world, Curtis amazed fans by winning the tournament against some of the world's finest players. Having skyrocketed to 35th place on the world rankings, the biggest jump recorded by any player, the young champion had established himself on the PGA Tour.

On Sunday, Curtis won his first tournament in six years at the Texas Open. Golf fans can look forward to many more surprise victories from this talented player as his career continues to progress.