Ben Curtis takes lead in MCI Heritage

Ben Curtis lines up his putt on the 7th green during the second round of the MCI Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Friday. PHOTO: AP

Ben Curtis shot a season-best 5-under-par 66 to take a one-stroke lead over Heath Slocum after two rounds of the MCI Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links on Friday.

Curtis is atop the leaderboard for just the second time since he won the British Open last July. He is eager to prove he's not the best major champion never to win on tour.

"I know I'm the Open champion, but at the same time you have to look past it and look to the future, not always rely on the past," Curtis said. "I want to prove that it was no fluke."

Curtis finished at 8-under 134, one better than Slocum, who shot a 67. Ted Purdy had a 67 and was two strokes off the lead, while Darren Clarke (66), Patrick Sheehan (66), John Huston (68), 20-year-old rookie Kevin Na (68) and 50-year-old Jay Haas (69) are three strokes back.

Curtis, who won at Royal St. George's as the 396th ranked player in the world, earned more than US$1.4 million last season and was voted the tour's rookie of the year. But he has struggled to balance perks such as meeting the president and throwing out the first pitch at a Cleveland Indians game with success on tour.

Curtis arrived at Harbour Town 114th on the money list and having made just one cut in his five previous tournaments, at Bay Hill.

He's hoping Harbour Town helps him break through again.

"It could be," Curtis said.