Golf-American Crane moves one ahead at Torrey Pines (Reuters)
January 31, 2010
By Mark Lamport-Stokes
SAN DIEGO, Jan 31 (Reuters) – American Ben Crane, helped bya couple of lengthy birdie putts, grabbed a one-shot lead midwaythrough Sunday’s final round of the San Diego Open.
While the expected last-day charge by three-times championPhil Mickelson failed to materialise, Crane covered the frontnine in a flawless, three-under-par 33 at Torrey Pines.
Birdies at the second, third and fifth on the challengingSouth Course lifted him to 14 under overall on anothersun-kissed day on the California coastline.
Michael Sim of Australia, Crane’s playing partner, was alonein second place, a stroke in front of Australian Robert Allenby,American Rickie Fowler and overnight leader Ryuji Imada ofJapan.
Allenby was four under for the day after 11 holes while PGATour rookie Fowler had completed 10 holes and Imada nine.
World number two Mickelson, who began the day four shots offthe lead, bogeyed the first three holes on the way to an untidyoutward nine of two-over 38.
Crane, two strokes off the pace overnight, recorded hisfirst birdie of the day at the par-four second where he struck asuperb approach to three feet and knocked in the putt.
At the tricky par-three third, he benefited from a two-shotswing to move one ahead of Imada.
Crane, bidding for his third PGA Tour title, rolled in a46-foot birdie putt up the hill while his Japanese playingpartner bogeyed after three-putting from long range.
Two holes later, Crane picked up his third shot of the day,ramming in a 22-footer and pumping his right fist in celebrationafter the ball disappeared into the cup.
That gave him a two-shot cushion over the chasing pack at 14under, until his lead was cut to one when Sim knocked in afour-foot birdie putt at the par-five ninth. (Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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