Slow-playing Ben Crane fired a one-under par 69 here on Sunday to complete the PGA US Bank Championship's first wire-to-wire triumph in 31 years, defeating Scott Verplank by four strokes. It was the second career US PGA title for Crane, who won two years ago at Atlanta, and brought the 29-year-old American a two-year tour exemption in addition to a top prize of 684,000 dollars.
Crane finished on 20-under par 260 at the 3.5 million-dollar event while Verplank, who fired a final-round 71, settled for second, one stroke ahead of fellow American Chad Campbell and two better than US rival Jeff Sluman.
Long criticised for his slow play, Crane's ponderous pace became an issue at the Booz Allen Classic last month when playing partner Rory Sabbatini of South Africa walked off the 17th green ahead of the eventual runner-up.
Crane doubled the two-stroke edge he enjoyed when the day began but he and playing partner Verplank were on the clock the entire back nine.
Verplank said Crane's slowness was a distraction.
Crane, ranked 94th, became only the second wire-to-wire winner of the event, matching American Ed Snead's 1974 feat.
After a birdie at the second and a bogey at the fourth, Crane holed out for an eagle at the par-5 sixth. A bogey at the seventh followed but he built the lead to four strokes at the turn and played par golf on the back nine to win.
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