Jonathan Crane
No matter if they watched on TV, followed the match live on the Internet or read about it when they picked up their newspaper on Friday morning, Ben Crane knew people were going to be surprised.
After all, he just annihilated the No. 7 player in the world, Rory McIlroy, by an 8-and-7 margin in the second round of the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship. It’s the most lopsided defeat this week at Dove Mountain and second only to Tiger Woods’ 9-and-8 drubbing of Stephen Ames in 2006.
"I’m just as shocked as anybody else," Crane admitted. "I figured 2 and 1 would be unbelievable. Or 1 up."
Thursday, though, was a complete shellacking. Crane struck early, winning No. 1 with a par, and the "hole opened up from there," he said. Crane made five birdies in his first nine holes and was leading 6 up at the turn. He won the 10th with a par and the match on No. 11 when McIlroy drove into the desert, took a drop and eventually conceded the hole.
"I just played really well today, obviously," Crane said. "… (I) just got going early and felt very comfortable, and Rory didn’t have his best day and just kind of things were all going in my favor."
The matches won’t get any easier now that Crane has reached the third round for the second straight year. He’ll play his second consecutive European Ryder Cupper in Miguel Angel Jimenez, who beat Ryan Palmer 4 and 2 in the second round.
At least Crane will have a little extra time to savor the victory, though, after making such short work of the Northern Irishman.
"My wife and I were like, wow, I’m playing one of the most underrated players in the world today," Crane said. "No one would disagree with that. Rory’s one of the best players in the world and I knew it coming (into the match). But that’s the way it’s going to be all the way in."
At the same time, though, Crane may be growing some match play chops of his own. Ranked No. 38 in the world, the three-time PGA TOUR winner is playing in his fourth Accenture Match Play Championship and owns a 6-3 record overall.
He knows, though, that the mention of his name doesn’t exactly invoke fear in his opponent — yet.
"I think I’m just under the radar, period," Crane said. "Underrated as a match play player? I’ve never really advanced, I think, past the Sweet 16. So I don’t think that anyone is going, wow, Ben Crane is really coming through this bracket — look out."
Crane paused, playfully, for emphasis before continuing.
"Gosh, sorry you’ve got to play Ben Crane," he said, grinning. "Boy, tough draw there. So, anyway, I think that answers your question."
Truth be told, though, the steady Crane can wear an opponent down. He hits fairways and greens — ranking 26th and seventh in those categories on TOUR, respectively — and he stands 39th in putting. He doesn’t make many mistakes, either.
"I’ve putted well the first two days," Crane acknowledged. "Certainly if you’re putting well (it helps). When a guy’s putting really well against me, it’s hard to win a hole. You’re going to have to make birdies to do it because for the most part, the guy who’s putting really well is going to make that 6-footer for par."
Crane had an interesting route to the third round a year ago when Henrik Stenson, battling the flu, played one hole and conceded their first-round match. This year his opening opponent, Adam Scott, had a knee injury and at one point wasn’t sure he’d be able to play either.
So Crane has played 27 holes in his first two matches this week — and he has yet to fall behind. He won the first hole on Wednesday with a birdie and in the second round with a par. He’s looking forward to testing himself again.
"I love match play," Crane said. "I think we all do. I think we all love this tournament. It seems like each shot is a little more important in some ways. So we’ve got to be ready come the first tee, first day.”
Helen Ross
