Choi stays in front as wind batters Birkdale

By Tony Jimenez SOUTHPORT (Reuters) - Former champion Ben Curtis ignored strong winds to produce a remarkable front nine early in the British Open third round on Saturday. While most players battled to stay upright in gusts of up to 72-kph (45-mph) at Royal Birkdale, the 31-year-old fired an eagle, two birdies and a solitary bogey in a magical outward half of 31, three under. Curtis, a surprise winner of the 2003 British Open at Royal St George's, claimed an unlikely eagle two at the 451-yard third hole when his approach shot disappeared into the cup. The American, without a victory on the PGA Tour since the 84 Lumber Classic in 2006, then made another birdie two holes later. A bogey at the sixth provided a temporary setback but a birdie two at the seventh helped him reach the turn at four over for the tournament, only five... [read full story]