Professional golfer Ben Curtis, a Kent State alumnus, qualified for the United States Ryder Cup team after tying for second place last weekend at the PGA Championship in Bloomfield Township, Mich.

The Ryder Cup is a golf tournament that matches up the United States against Europe. It will be held from Sept. 16 to 21 at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky. The PGA Championship was the last tournament where golfers could automatically qualify for the Ryder Cup.

Curtis’ finish at the PGA Championship placed him seventh on the point list of American golfers. The top eight automatically qualify for the Ryder Cup team.

Curtis was the leader by one shot after the third round of the PGA Championship, but he finished at 1-under-par – two shots behind winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland and tied with Sergio Garcia of Spain.

It was Curtis’ second top-10 finish this year at one of the four Professional Golfers’ Association Majors. He tied for seventh at the British Open in July.

Curtis graduated from Kent State in 2000 and is best known for winning the British Open, his only major tournament victory, in 2003.

Contact managing editor Doug Gulasy at [email protected].