The Golf Watch

Torrey Pines Sunday Jan. 31, 2010: The round that would never end

I understand that Ben Crane is a slow player.  I also understand that he was in a threesome and had to wait on a few holes.

But Sunday's final round at Torrey Pines was agonizingly slow.  In fact, 5 hours and 25 minutes slow.  That's how long it took the final group. 

Crane, Michael Sim and Ryuji Imada teed off at 1:20 ET and didn't finish up until 6:45.

Crane has improved when it comes to how long it takes him over each shot and playing ready golf.  That being said, he still hasn't done enough. 

10 minutes between drive and second shot can be pretty agonizing for any viewer, let alone a playing partner.

My guess is CBS wouldn't have cut into 60 Minutes or The Grammys if Sim would have chipped in at 18 to force a playoff.  Just a hunch. 

Crane has a wild second round at PGA National

Even though he has improved his pace of play in the last few years, Ben Crane is still known as one of the slowest players on tour.  Crane slowed up play even more today when his bag fell into the water on the 6th hole at PGA National--and his playing partners weren't upset when it happened.  In fact, David Toms and Tim Herron were laughing.  Crane's bag was blown over into the water by a strong gust of wind, and he had to play with wet grips the rest of the day.  "All of a sudden, David Toms, Tim Herron, and all the caddies, everyone starts laughing, as Brett (Waldman), my caddie, pulls the bag out of the water," said Crane to Todd Lewis of The Golf Channel.  "He literally dumps out 20 gallons of water out of the bag...so it was a pretty funny experience.  We had a good laugh over it."   Crane is at 5-under-par and in great position to make a run for the title this week at the Honda Classic.  Lucky for Crane, Rory Sabbatini wasn't in the group.