Crane triumphs at Torrey Pines
- Published: 1/02/2010 at 07:53 AM
- Online news: Sports
Ben Crane won the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines on Sunday, firing a final-round 70 for a one-shot victory.
Ben Crane poses with the trophy on the 18th green on the South Course at Torrey Pines Golf Course after the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open in La Jolla, California.
Crane's round included two birdie bombs, and he sank a par putt from inside three feet at the final hole to win with a 13-under total of 275.
His third career victory on the PGA Tour gives Crane a trip the first major championship of the year, the Masters, for the first time in three years.
It's a better reason to be in the spotlight for Crane, who briefly gained unwanted - and unwarranted - notoriety when Life and Style magazine erroneously quoted him commenting on the Tiger Woods sex scandal in December.
The magazine said its reporter spoke to Crane at qualifying school, which Crane did not attend.
Australian Marc Leishman carded a 68, compatriot Michael Sim a 71 and Brandt Snedeker a 69 to share second on 276.
South African Ernie Els carded a 69 to head a group of four players on 277, while overnight leader Ryuji Imada of Japan shot a 75 to fall into a group on 278 that also included Australian Robert Allenby (70).
World number two Phil Mickelson, making his 2010 season debut, closed the week with a 73 to finish five off the pace on 280.
Mickelson started the day four off the lead, but bogeyed his first three holes to quickly drop out of contention.
Crane started the day tied with Sim two shots behind Imada.
He notched three birdies in his first five holes, including a 45-footer at the third. Another 45-footer for birdie at 11 saw his lead swell to three strokes.
Allenby made a charge, but dropped five shots in a span of four holes to fall by the wayside.
Sim stayed close, but missed a golden opportunity when his 15-foot birdie putt at 17 barely failed to drop. Crane's lead dwindled when he missed a short par putt at 17, but both he and Sim parred the par-five 18th.
About the author
- Writer: AFP News agency
- Position: Agence France-Presse
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