Ben Curtis

American golfer Ben Curtis is currently ranked within the top 20 in the US Ryder Cup points list.

Ben Curtis's golfing career started early - apparently, he was already playing golf at around age three! His family runs the Mill Creek Golf Course, which was designed by Curtis's grandfather.

In high school, Curtis won the Division II state title, and at Kent State University, he was the golf team's star.

As an amateur, Ben Curtis won the Ohio Amateur Championship in both 1999 and 2000 - making him only one of three (including the legendary Arnold Palmer and John Cook) to win the event twice running. In 2000, he also won the Player's Amateur Championship in 2000.

After turning professional and gaining entry to the PGA Tour, Ben Curtis took everyone by surprise in winning the Open Championship in 2003 - his very first appearance in a major championship. Prior to this win, his best finish had been a 13th place in the Western Open. Curtis's victory in the Open propelled him to 35th in the Official World Golf Rankings, as well as earning him the 2003 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award.

Ben Curtis achieved only one top-10 finish in 2004, and two top-10 finishes in 2005. In 2006, he secured two PGA Tour wins.

For the 2007 PGA Tour season, Ben Curtis ranked 126th, with total earnings of $772,321. His best finishes included a fourth place in the Arnold Palmer Invitational and eighth place in the British Open Championship.