It was not easy, and Ben Crane never expected it to be.
The PGA Tour veteran won the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course on Sunday, his first victory in five years, by staying patient and sticking to what he calls his process during a round of 2-under-par 70 that allowed him to finish at 13-under 275 and hold off three pursuers by a single stroke at Torrey Pines Golf Course.
His process apparently involves devoting little attention to his challengers or the scoreboard. Crane admitted that after securing his par with two putts from the fringe on the 72nd hole, he had to ask another member of his group, Ryuji Imada, if he had won.
"I had no idea what was going on," Crane said. "I'm thankful that I didn't."
Phil Mickelson, the No. 2-ranked player in the world making his season debut, bogeyed his first three holes to quickly drop out of contention, shot a 73 and finished 19th.
"It happens," Mickelson said of his struggles. "The good thing is I have direction and now know what I need to work on as I head into next week."
Read more in the full article in the North County Times.
