Rodney Dean Curl (born January 9, 1943) is an American professional golfer best known for being the first full-blooded Native American to win a PGA Tour event.
Early life Curl was born in Redding, California. He is a Wintu Indian. Before taking up golf at age 19, he was an outstanding baseball player at Central Valley High School in Shasta County, California.
Professional career In 1968, Curl turned pro. He joined the PGA Tour in 1969 and played regularly through 1978. He had 42 top-10 finishes in official PGA Tour events including one win and a half-dozen second and third-place finishes. In 1974, he won the Colonial National Invitation in Fort Worth by one stroke after runner-up Jack Nicklaus bogeyed the 17th hole and a birdied the last.
Curl played in a limited number of Senior PGA Tour events after reaching the age of 50 in 1993. Late in life, he worked as a corporate instructor with VIP Golf Academy.
Personal life Curl lives in Jupiter, Florida.
Professional wins (3) PGA Tour wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin ofvictoryRunner-up1May 19, 1974Colonial National Invitation70-67-71-68=276−41 stroke Jack Nicklaus
Pro Golf Tour wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin ofvictoryRunner-up1May 29, 1988Pointe Royale Invitational68-71-64-64=267−134 strokes Ben Theobald
Other wins (1) 1977 World Indian Open
See also Spring 1969 PGA Tour Qualifying School graduates 1985 PGA Tour Qualifying School graduates
References
External links
Database Golf – Rod Curl California Indian Education – Sports heroes – Rod Curl