Ben Crane playing the Arnold Palmer Invitational to save his spot in the Masters – Golf News
Ben Crane, currently ranked 48th in the Official World Golf Rankings, has yet to receive the Masters Tournament invitation because of his uncertain position in the rankings till the end of March.
According to the Masters Tournament invitation requirements, the players who have registered wins in the current PGA Tour season are eligible to play the event.
If a player has not been able to win any of the tournaments that he has played, then he has another chance by placing his name among the top-50 players in the OWGR one week prior to the Masters.
Yet, there are a total of three tournaments scheduled on the PGA and European Tours this month, which gives a chance to the players to make an attempt to qualify for a spot at Augusta National.
Ernie Els (62) can reach the final field of the first major event of the year, with just a second-place finish in any of the two tournaments.
He will participate in the Arnold Palmer Invitational and Shell Houston Open.
Robert Rock (57) is participating in the Hassan II Trophy in Morocco, where a victory may earn him the place in the Maters.
Ryo Ishikawa (50) is confirmed to play regardless of his ranking at the end of March because of the special invitation he received from the tournament officials.
Therefore, Crane needs to perform well in the Arnold Palmer Invitational to remain in the top-50. If he withdraws or misses the cut in the event, there is a high chance that other players playing well will replace him in the world rankings.
"Different players can do different things," he said. "I can only help myself this week. We'll know at the end of the week".
"I never thought about it. I've never put it in my mind ... just kidding," he continued, breaking into a grin. "I LOVE that tournament".
"It can do one of two things," he said. "It can help you, or you can think about it too much and forget to execute and play your shots".
The Masters Tournament will start from April 5, 2012, at the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club.
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