Booz Allen suspended one more day

The completion of the Booz Allen Classic – and Ben Curtis’ long-awaited first victory since the 2003 British Open – was postponed for yet another day, setting up the PGA Tour’s first Tuesday finish in 26 years and making for a cruel, exasperating end to a tournament that seemed doomed from the start.

Curtis was on the 17th green Monday with a seven-stroke lead when play was stopped for the day by the latest of several menacing thunderstorms. If it weren’t for Curtis’ stellar play – he’s at 22 under and on pace to set a tournament record – the only thing anyone would remember about the tournament is that it took six days to complete, with weather wreaking havoc in Potomac, Md., Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

“It’s unreal,” Curtis said. “You wait three years, so I guess I can wait another day.”

DiMarco, Stadler tied in Par-3

Chris DiMarco filled in quite nicely for Phil Mickelson in the Par-3 Shootout.

DiMarco and Craig Stadler each earned $90,000 to share the lead after nine holes in the two-day, skins-type event at Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Mich. Fred Couples had $10,000, and defending champ Andy North was shut out.

Mickelson, who won nearly $1 million in the first seven years of this event, withdrew after his meltdown in the U.S. Open at Winged Foot.

Western Open to get new name

The Western Open, one of the oldest stops on the PGA Tour, is getting a name change and will rotate among Chicago suburbs and other Midwest cities.

The tournament will be called the BMW Championship beginning in 2007 when it switches from July to September and becomes part of a new championship points race.

This year’s Cialis Western Open will be played next month at Cog Hill Golf Club in Lemont, Ill., its home since 1991. Cog Hill also will host the 2007 tournament under its new name.