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Ben Crane Voted the slowest player in SI's second annual PGA Tour poll, Crane, 27, patiently pleads his case

SI: How did you feel about being named the Tour's slowest player,
in a landslide?

BC: I really debated whether I should talk about this. Being
labeled a slow player isn't a good thing.

SI: At least you've made a lasting impression on your colleagues.

BC: Yeah, but not for the right reasons. Even if I become one of
the fastest players on Tour, I'll still be labeled as the slow
guy. Once you've been labeled a slow player, you're stuck for
life.

SI: Are you saying you don't like being known as a guy who really
takes his time?

BC: I don't want this hanging over my head. Last year it was
definitely a problem, but I've been doing things differently this
year.

SI: What made you so slow?

BC: My former caddie and I had a routine where he'd read the
green from one side and I'd read it from the other. Then we'd
switch sides, and then he and I would conference. It was too
much. Now I read all the putts myself.

SI: Good grief! What else had been slowing you down?

BC: Believe it or not, I didn't want to step on anyone's toes.
The majority of the time I outdrove my playing partners, and I
would wait till everyone hit before going to my ball, getting the
yardage, choosing a club and then hitting the shot. I didn't want
to upset the other guys while they were assessing their shots. I
didn't realize that was slowing me down.

SI: Have you always been deliberate?

BC: In high school and college you can get away with playing slow
because you'd end up waiting on the next tee anyway. When I got
to the Tour, it was a shock to see how quick the pace was.

SI: How many times were you put on the clock last year?

BC: I don't know.

SI: You don't know or you don't want to say?

BC: I don't know.

SI: What do you think of the new slow-play rules on Tour this
year?

BC: They're fantastic. They've really encouraged me to pick up
the pace.

SI: Have any players left nasty notes in your locker because of
your leisurely pace?

BC: I won't name names, but I've had a couple of players come up
to me and tell me I'm not getting the work done.

SI: Is there anything you do quickly?

BC: I'm a fast eater.

COLOR PHOTO: ROBERT BECK SPEED READER Crane is concentrating on picking up his pace.