Curtis shakes off Wie sideshow to seize share of PGA lead

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2006

FARMINGTON, United States (AFP) — Former British Open champion Ben Curtis and Ryan Moore shrugged off the hoopla surrounding Michelle Wie and seized the halfway lead in the PGA 84 Lumber Classic. As teenage sensation Wie failed to make the cut, Curtis quietly went about securing a spot atop the leaderboard.

Showing stunning accuracy off the tee, Curtis recovered from an early bogey to collect four birdies in a three-under 69 in benign morning conditions at the Mystic Rock course. Curtis joined Moore (67) at 9-under 135, one stroke ahead of Sean O'Hair (69), Charles Howell (69) and first-round leader Nicholas Thompson (72). "I made it pretty easy on myself," Curtis said. "The only bad shot I hit was on No. 11, my second shot (a 3-wood) into the water. "Other than that I...