Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Valero Texas Open

San Antonio Express-News

Crane, others exit: Ben Crane's gain at last weekend's 84 Lumber Classic in Pennsylvania was the Valero Texas Open's loss.

Crane, one of the PGA Tour's hottest golfers over the second half of the season, was one of several late withdrawals for this week's Open. A third-place finish at the 84 Lumber, worth $299,200, brought to almost $800,000 Crane's earnings from the past two tournaments.

With his bank account flush, Crane joined Tim Herron, fourth at the 84 Lumber, Brandt Jobe, Kevin Na, Justin Bolli, Danny Ellis, D.J. Trahan and Joey Snyder III in dropping from the field.

Alternates who have been added to the event include Brenden Pappas, Glen Day, Matt Kuchar, Craig Bowden, John E. Morgan, Arjun Atwal, David Peoples, Per-Ulrik Johansson and Richard S. Johnson.

Rested and ready: Defending tournament champion Bart Bryant teed off for his practice round early Tuesday, and came off the course pronouncing himself fit and prepared for Thursday's opening round.

Bryant, who owns the La Cantera resort course record with a third-round, 10-under 60 last year, has been nursing a sore wrist. But he stayed home the past three weeks and said the pain has subsided.

Cameron crows: Cameron Beckman's tie for fifth at last week's 84 Lumber, worth a season-high $154,500 payday, has moved him to 159th on the money list at $361,281 overall. Beckman is working to move into the top 125 to secure his PGA Tour card for next season.

Money matters: Two-time Open champion Duffy Waldorf is one of three golfers who have raked in seven figures in winnings at the event. Justin Leonard, with $1.40 million, and Loren Roberts, with $1.27 million, are the only competitors ahead of Waldorf's $1.01 million total.

- Richard Oliver

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Very nice. Keep up the good work.