Dramatic charge shoots Crane to title

Duluth, Georgia (Agence France-Presse): American Ben Crane staged a dramatic charge to capture his first career title.

The 27-year-old second year player carded a nine-under-par 63 on Sunday at the US$4 million PGA event to erase a six-shot deficit and post a four-stroke victory over Bob Tway.

Crane tied a course record and became the first first-time winner of 2003 in his 40th career event. The victory was worth $720,000, pushing him over $1 million this year.

"I am so thankful," said Crane, whose round included eight birdies, one bogey and an eagle on the 18th hole. "I played great today. I figured if I went low, I would have a chance and it happened. I'm a little numb."

After two rounds, Crane was tied for 59th at I-over, but he was 17-under on the weekend. He posted a 64 on Saturday and completed 72 holes at 16-under 272.

Crane's 127 in the last two rounds is the best 36-hole finish on tour this year.

Crane had some success as rookie last year, earning just over $900,000 with seven top-25 finishes and two top-10 efforts, including a runner-up showing at the Byron Nelson Classic.

Defending champion and former US Open champion Retief Goosen of South Africa carded a 7-under 65 and tied for third with Hank Kuehne and Jay Williamson at 11under 277. John Rollins, Stewart Cink and Tom Pernice Jr. tied for sixth at278.

Lee Janzen, who was seeking his first victory in five years, took a two-shot lead into the final round but ballooned to a 5-over 77 and fell to a tie for 13th at 280.

In Los Angeles, California, Sweden's Annika Sorenstam capped a I-under-par 71 with back-to-back birdies on Sunday, defeating South Korea's Pak Se-ri by four strokes to win her first LPGA tournament of the season.

It was the first victory in three tries this season lor Sorenstam, the best female golfer in the world who next month will make a historic appearance on the PGA Tour at The Colonial.

"Right now, I'm just totally relieved," said Sorenstam who placed third and second in her other starts this year.

She had a three-round total of 5-under 211 and earned $225,000 for her 43rd career victory in the $l.,5 million event.