Staff Writer

BEREA — Less than 48 hours after tying for second in the PGA Championship, Ben Curtis stopped by training camp Tuesday morning to check on his favorite team and visit with a friend, quarterback Derek Anderson.

Curtis, an Ohio native who went to Kent State and has a house in Stow, was the third-round leader at the PGA and finished two shots behind winner Padraig Harrington. The finish was good enough to earn Curtis his first spot on the U.S. Ryder Cup team in September.

“That’s pretty sweet,” Anderson said. “I was fired up.”

Anderson and Curtis met a couple of years ago when Curtis visited camp. They struck up a friendship, started texting, had dinner at the Super Bowl and have played some golf. The latest outing in June saw Curtis shoot 66 and Anderson 78 at Sand Ridge Country Club in Chardon.

“He’s a good player,” Curtis said of Anderson. “He’s actually a pretty good putter, which is surprising for a guy his size. Obviously he must be able to have some touch, because he can throw a football all different ways.”

“I hit it all over the map,” Anderson joked. “(Putting’s) the only way I can score.”

Curtis, who was sporting an orange Browns golf shirt, wears NFL apparel on the PGA Tour as part of his endorsement deal with Reebok.

“I have all the teams’ shirts and all the hats,” he said. “But this is my true feelings here. Definitely.” Anderson has one piece of advice for Curtis whenever they play.

“Don’t let me beat you, because everybody out there will hear about it,” he said.

 INJURY REPORT: Rookie tight end Martin Rucker, a fourth-round draft pick, was scheduled for an MRI on his knee Tuesday. Results were not released. Coach Romeo Crennel said Rucker twisted the knee in practice Monday. He led the team with five catches for 70 yards in the preseason opener. … Defensive lineman Shaun Rogers skipped the morning practice with a sore knee but returned for the evening session. … Offensive lineman Ryan Tucker spent some time on the practice field working with a trainer. That’s a good sign in his comeback from a broken hip.

Petrak may be reached at spetrak@chroniclet.com or 440-329-7136.