Crane shines, earns Master ticket

SAN DIEGO – Ben Crane made news for all the right reasons on Sunday when he closed with a 2-under 70 for a one-shot victory in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.

Crane made two birdie putts longer than 45 feet to build a big lead, then struggled with short misses as he hung on to beat Michael Sim, Brandt Snedeker and Marc Leishman. Crane had to hole a 30-inch par putt on the final hole to secure the victory.

It was Crane’s third career victory, and first in nearly five years, and this one earned him a trip back to the Masters.

With a reputation for slow play, perhaps it was only fitting that Crane was the last one to know he had won.

He made it a point not to look at a leaderboard throughout the final round, and didn’t know the result until Ryuji Imada congratulated him on the 18th green. Even in post-round therapy for his back, Crane said he doesn’t talk about results, only the process.

But for his first victory since Milwaukee in 2005? “I think it’s OK to get out of the moment for tonight,” he said, smiling. (AP)