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Curtis: Heading for Valhalla
Despite missing out on a second major victory, Ben Curtis claimed that sealing Ryder Cup qualification after finishing runner-up in the USPGA Championship could be seen as "a victory in itself".
Curtis, who won the Open at Sandwich in 2003, finished alongside Sergio Garcia two strokes behind Padraig Harrington at Oakland Hills.
The 31-year-old had held a three-stoke lead during the final round, and although he let it slip, he was nonetheless happy to take an automatic place in the United States team for next month's clash with Europe at Valhalla.
"If you're going to finish second and they tell you that you qualify for the Ryder Cup, I think you'll take it," said Curtis, who bogeyed two of the final four holes to card a final-round one-over-par 71.
"It almost is a victory in itself. It was a goal that I set. I feel like I can help this team and I know a lot of the guys on the European side as well. I think it's going to be good fun."
Curtis, who will be making his Ryder Cup debut, joined Stewart Cink, Phil Mickelson, Kenny Perry, Jim Furyk, Anthony Kim, Justin Leonard and Boo Weekley in gaining automatic qualification for Paul Azinger's team.
Azinger will complete the 12-man team by adding four wildcard selections on September 2nd.
Second success
For much of Sunday it looked as though Curtis was heading for his second major title success.
One stroke ahead after the storm-delayed third round was completed earlier in the day, he briefly forged three strokes clear before Harrington clawed his way past over the closing holes.
"I played pretty solid the first seven, eight holes, and then coming around the turn just hit a maybe hit a wall, just kind of getting a little fatigued and a little tired," continued Curtis, who scored a one-under-par total for his four rounds.
"It was just a mental grind all day and leaving here I'm going to feel really good. I played well coming down the stretch. I just didn't get it done.
Referring to Harrington's pair of 66s in the final two rounds, he added: "The way Padraig played was pretty unbelievable.
"To shoot eight under on the weekend is pretty impressive. It's probably one of the better two rounds that we have seen in a long time."
