Golf

Bjorn, Curtis evoke meltdown memories

By BOB HARIG
Published July 5, 2005

If it were not for Thomas Bjorn 's meltdown over the final holes at the 2003 British Open, few might remember Ben Curtis today.

It was Curtis, playing in his first major championship, who stormed into the lead on the final day at Royal St. George's, gave it all back, then made a clutch par putt on the final hole that appeared to be too little, too late.

Only moments later, Bjorn was having his troubles in the sand, leaving two shots in the bunker at the 17th hole, allowing Curtis, a rookie on the PGA Tour, to steal the Claret Jug.

It was among the greatest upsets in major-championship history.

Curtis and Bjorn were among the newsmakers again on Sunday.

But while Curtis was posting his best PGA Tour finish since the British Open, third behind Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods at the Western Open, Bjorn was having another meltdown at the European Open. And this one was epic.

Leading by four strokes entering the final round, Bjorn imploded, shooting a final-round 86 that included 11 at the par-4 17th hole, where he hit three shots into the water.

Amazingly, Bjorn still was tied for the lead when he stood on the 17th tee, 6 over par for the day.

"That was the worst day of my golf life," Bjorn told reporters afterward. "This was my golf tournament and I had to take it on. ... It was a tough day."

It was at the same K Club course in Ireland where Bjorn last year walked off after just six holes, saying the "demons" in his game were too much to overcome.

He admitted the fallout from his 2003 collapse at Royal St. George's, where he squandered a three-shot lead with four to play, was on his mind.

But Bjorn, from Denmark, had seemingly bounced back. He was in contention this year at the Masters. He won the British Masters on the European tour and appeared well on his way to his ninth European PGA victory.

Instead, little known Kenneth Ferrie , 26, walked away with the title, leaving Bjorn - who played the last four holes in over par - to wonder again.

OPEN QUALIFIERS: The European Open and the Western Open were mini qualifying sites for next week's British Open. Graeme Storm , an Englishman who tied for second at the European Open, earned a spot at St. Andrews as the highest finisher not otherwise exempt. The same was true for American Pat Perez at the Western Open. Two other spots went to Bart Bryant and Billy Mayfair , who finished 1-2 on a hybrid money list that included the Players Championship and five recent tournaments. The highest finisher not otherwise exempt at this week's Scottish Open and John Deere Classic also will qualify for the British Open.

OMINOUS SIGN: U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman didn't exactly leave Ireland with any good vibes. Playing in the European Open at the K Club, the site of next year's Ryder Cup matches, Lehman was late for his tee time on Saturday, costing him a two-stroke penalty in his round of 79.

"There are no excuses," he said. "You take full responsibility for being stupid."

Lehman misread his tee time and was practicing when told his group was on the tee. He hustled to make it, but his name had been called and he was not ready to play.

Then on Sunday, the 46-year-old Lehman shot 84 and finished second-to-last.

MORE HISTORY: Ron Streck is the answer to a great trivia question, the first player to win on the PGA Tour using a metal wood in 1981.

On Sunday, he made more history, becoming the first to win events on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Champions Tour. Streck, 50, won the Commerce Bank Championship, his first senior victory. He had two victories on the PGA Tour and won on the Nationwide Tour in 1993.

SHORT LIST: With his victory at the Western Open, Furyk joined a short list of players under the age of 40 who have a minimum of 10 PGA Tour victories and a major championship. The others are Woods, Phil Mickelson , Ernie Els , David Duval , David Toms and Justin Leonard .

--Information from the Scotsman and Times wires was used in the report.

[Last modified July 5, 2005, 01:34:07]