Photo by Kyle Coburn/NAPGT :: Story by Stacia Golem/NAPGTSeptember 21, 2007 (Lakeville, MA)—Holding on to the lead he built all week, Jeff Curl won the LeBaron Hills Open, finishing at 14 under, 202.
Coming into the final round at 13 under, with a three shot lead over his closest competitor, he figured he needed to shoot in the 60’s today to have a comfortable win. But it was with a rocky 71 that he managed to still snag success.
After a great start, including a birdie on hole two, one of the day’s most difficult, Curl seemed to be on his way to victory. But a bad swing on the third hole sent him into a tailspin that left the trophy up for grabs.
“It was tough,” he said. “I went from one under to three over in like three holes. I knew when I was one under I had a pretty good lead on everybody, and all of a sudden, it all evaporated.”
There were many guys willing and able to take the top spot away from Curl, but none could quite get that edge, though some got close. Everything culminated right around the turn where there was a lot of action seen on the leaderboard. Eric Egloff had the lead for a fleeting moment before Curl eagled hole ten and never looked back.
“I kinda got control of the golf tournament again and played the way I felt like I should’ve from the beginning,” said Curl. “Eric [Egloff] and Rodney [Butcher] played great today…put a lot of heat on early. Luckily I just happened to play a little better at the end.”
After all was said and done, Rodney Butcher finished second with 11 under, 205, and Egloff and Kyle Gallo tied for third with ten under, 206. Having a better front side finishing at two under, it was on the back where Butcher struggled, failing to make putts and convert his birdies.
“Every time I made birdie, [Curl] was one better too. It was that space there…I could never get within two where he might notice me,” he said. “With three or four holes left I kinda had to fight for second place.”
Actually having one of the best rounds of the day, Gallo shot a four under, 68. He wasn’t as fixated on gaining the lead as he was with just playing his best.
“Knowing that Jeff’s playing well at 13 under par, you had to make [a lot] of birdies; had to make some eagles as well.”
Although he was playing steady, making par, he was missing putts which put him behind on the leaderboard. Gallo was happy to finish where he did though, able to pick up some money for tour school in October.
This being the last tournament of the season, not only did Curl get a trophy for his win here today, but Geoff Sisk received one for being NAPGT’s 2007 Player of the Year. Even though Sisk won this award last year as well, he was still as humble as ever accepting it.
“I knew this year was going to be more difficult than others, just due to the size of the fields, but still having the same top quality guys come back,” he said. I’m happy about it, extremely happy. Hopefully it leads to bigger and better things.”
