Crane six clear at PGA St Jude Classic
American finishes five-under par 65 with Pettersson, Bohn in pursuit.
Ben Crane hits a tee shot on the fourth hole during the first round of the FedEx St. Jude Classic at the TPC Southwind on June 5, 2014 in Memphis, Tennessee. PHOTO: AFP
MEMPHIS:
Ben Crane, seeking his first US PGA triumph since 2011, fired a five-under par 65 on Friday to seize a six-stroke lead at the storm-hit $5.8 million St. Jude Classic.
The 38-year-old American made six birdies before closing with his only bogey of the round to finish 36 holes on 12-under 128.
Crane’s nearest pursuers on the course were Sweden’s Carl Pettersson and American Jason Bohn, each on six-under. Pettersson had one hole to complete and Bohn two.
“I certainly didn’t expect to be here,” said Crane of his spot atop the leaderboard. “If someone would have told me a couple days ago I would be standing in front of a bunch of cameras, I would have asked, ‘What did I do?’”
With only one top-25 showing in 16 events his season, Crane has struggled but found form after changing his swing to ease pain in his back.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2014.
Ben Crane, seeking his first US PGA triumph since 2011, fired a five-under par 65 on Friday to seize a six-stroke lead at the storm-hit $5.8 million St. Jude Classic.
The 38-year-old American made six birdies before closing with his only bogey of the round to finish 36 holes on 12-under 128.
Crane’s nearest pursuers on the course were Sweden’s Carl Pettersson and American Jason Bohn, each on six-under. Pettersson had one hole to complete and Bohn two.
“I certainly didn’t expect to be here,” said Crane of his spot atop the leaderboard. “If someone would have told me a couple days ago I would be standing in front of a bunch of cameras, I would have asked, ‘What did I do?’”
With only one top-25 showing in 16 events his season, Crane has struggled but found form after changing his swing to ease pain in his back.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2014.