Curtis takes to European Tour to find form

Former British Open champion Ben Curtis is just happy to be playing in the weekend in Dubai after poor form last season cost him his U.S. PGA Tour card. The American missed the cut in more than half the U.S. PGA events he played in 2011 and he hasn't had a win since 2006. With two years left on his 10-year European Tour exemption after winning the 2003 British Open, Curtis has started this year by playing the tour's desert swing that concludes with the Dubai Desert Classic this weekend. After finishing 48th in Abu Dhabi and 47th in Qatar, Curtis has improved this week. He made five birdies on his way to a 5-under 67 on Friday to reach 7 under for the tournament. He is six shots behind clubhouse leader Rory McIlroy in 11th.