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By Abbey Mastracco
PGATOUR.com Staff

The month of July is a month that is near and dear to Ben Curtis' heart.

Ben Curtis will return to his home state at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational. (WireImage)

How could anyone forget Curtis' stunning upset at the 2003 British Open Championship? Curtis was merely a rookie when he defeated Vijay Singh and Thomas Bjorn by only one shot at Royal St. Georges in England. At only 26 years old, Curtis became the second youngest British Open Championship winner, and the only the second player in history to win a major in his first try.

But what happened a month later was even more important to Curtis. After the third round of the '03 World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational in Akron, Ohio, Curtis traveled to nearby Kent and married the former Candace Beatty. The next day at Firestone Country Club, Curtis finished tied for 30th.

"Obviously getting married that week, the golf was very secondary. Everything else was more important," Curtis said. "It was a big day in my life, probably the most important day in my life. Looking back I don't really remember the golf."

Curtis may not remember the golf that week, but he undoubtedly remembers the golf the week he won the British Open ? and the week after as well.

"It just seemed like I was always intoxicated that first week," Curtis said. "I remember the first week we think I did nothing but party with [the Claret Jug]."

Upon arriving home from England four years ago with the Claret Jug, Curtis was greeted by a multitude of friends and family at the Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport. True to his then 26-year-old form, the first thing Curtis and his friends did was throw a party to celebrate his victory, and of course have fun with the Claret Jug.

"It was a lot of fun to have it for a year," Curtis said. "We didn't do anything too crazy with it; just put a lot of different drinks in. We had everything from water, to coke to alcohol; probably more beer than anything."

The win, and his post-win partying, is something Curtis said he still thinks about frequently. And the win was on his mind during the two-year slump Curtis fell into following his breakout rookie year.

"You'll just be driving, and you'll realize how lucky you are and it just brings you back to that moment," Curtis said. "You just try to remember what you felt, what you did that week and why it went so well, because you always want to be in that place."

"That place" seemed like a distant memory to Curtis for two years. In 2004, the season after he was named Rookie of the Year, Curtis finished in the top-10 at a tournament only once, and the following year only twice. The man who surprised the golf world by winning one of the most prestigious championships was surprising the golf world again, but this time by winning nothing.

"I don't know if I let my guard down a little but you can't do that out here," Curtis said. "It was a difficult time. I didn't play very well and when you don't play good it makes things tougher. When you play well everything falls into place."

After two frustrating years, Curtis pulled himself out of his slump, matching his two winless years with two wins in one year at the 2006 Booz Allen Classic and the 2006 84 LUMBER Classic.

"Just getting over that hump was great," Curtis said. "It's always hard to get that second victory, especially after a major.

"You think about getting one win a year and that's kind of a goal you set; and to have two in one year is just awesome."

Now well out of his slump, Curtis is looking forward to his favorite two July tournaments ? the British Open and the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational.

The event held at Firestone Country Club has long been a favorite of Curtis. Not only was he married during the week of 2003 event, but the proximity of the tournament to his hometown in Ohio makes it that much more enjoyable for Curtis.

"To stay at home in your own bed, it's everybody's dream," Curtis said. "Everything is going to be very familiar. It's just going to be a lot of fun. It's one of my favorite courses."

Growing up, Curtis had fond memories of the Memorial Tournament, a long time staple in Ohio. Having another event, and an elite event at that, so close to his hometown is something that means a lot to the Ohio native.

"This one is one of those special events," Curtis said. "Obviously they are the tournaments you want to be in. The criteria to get in is very difficult, it's even more difficult to get in than a major. And to be at home is such a great feeling and have one of the best tournaments in your backyard is awesome as well."

And yes, Curtis will be dressed in full Cleveland Browns gear.