Ben Crane

Long gone are the good ol' days of Golf Boys videos, and the same sentiment is true of Crane's golf game. Crane notched only one top-10 last year and just two in the last three seasons, signaling an expedited fall for the 41-year old. He finished 147th on the points list and went to the Web.com Finals to earn his 2017-18 card, but a back injury kept him from playing the Finales finale. He'll have conditional status on the PGA Tour this season and hopes to play about 20 events. While there's a glimmer of hope Crane can return to the form he had from 2008-2012, it's not likely.

What exactly is going on with Ben Crane? This is a guy who has five victories on the PGA Tour and a career earnings number above $20 million and yet he's had trouble making $1 million per year over the past four seasons. Age shouldn't be kicking-in this early, he's only 40 and even though he's dealt with some injuries, he's managed to play a full schedule just about every year on the PGA Tour, so his downfall remains a mystery. With that said, he does have same value in salary cap leagues this year because the upside is hidden somewhere in there. In drafts, he should go near the 10th-round.

In six of the last nine seasons, Crane finished within a couple hundred thousand of the $1.5 million mark. He's been as high as nearly $3 million and as low as about $300k, but more often than not, he ends up right where he ended last year. Crane has plenty of upside, but we've witnessed him at his best just once in the past nine years. That said, you could justify a salary cap selection, but it would probably be wise to steer clear of Crane this season. In draft leagues, he could find his way into the sixth round.

Crane earned at least $1.6 million each year from 2009-2012, but last year was a different story. Whatever the reason for his regression last season, he's got some value in salary cap leagues this year. Crane should bounce back to some degree this season, whether it's all the way back to his peak of $2.8 million, or back to his $1.6 million level, he looks like a good option this season. In draft leagues he should go in the 60-70 range.

Crane got off to a hot start in 2012, but after the calendar turned to March he struggled to find the top 10. Luckily for Crane, his play in the first two months was enough to secure his card for the 2013 season. Considering how he ended the 2011 season, you have to wonder if his early season play last year was simply a continuation of that. If that's the case, then he could be in trouble this year as he ended the 2012 season poorly, as well. If healthy, Crane won't fall off the map, he's too good for that, but the signs are pointing to a mediocre season in 2013. In draft leagues, Crane should go in the fifth round.

Crane started the 2011 season strong with four consecutive finishes in the Top 21, but his game started to falter in early May and he didn't get it straightened out until late in the fall when he found his first victory of the year at the McGladrey Classic. Crane had a stellar 2010, but he failed to back it up last year. Sure he won an event, but that came during the fall when the best players are on vacation. Crane has the potential to top his 2011 significantly, but he hasn't shown the consistency to justify a selection. In draft leagues, Crane should go in the fifth to sixth-round range.

Crane has battled injuries much of the last five years, and up until last year many wondered if he'd ever return to his previous form. An early season victory at the Farmer's Insurance Open laid those fears to rest last year, and Crane went on to have an outstanding 2010. Crane finished in the top 25 in half his starts and also captured a late-season non-official event in October, which means he's likely to hit the ground running in 2011. Crane likely will play at or slightly above his 2010 level this season. Crane is one of the best putters on the PGA TOUR, and last year he also ranked in the top 10 in driving accuracy.

The fire seems to have left Ben Crane's game. Crane had an incredible 2005 season, but injuries slowed him the following year, and he hasn't been the same since. He's still a solid player, but his days of four top-three finishes in a season may be over.

Crane will be two years removed from his injury problems when he tees it up for the first time in 2009. His 2008 season was not quite up to expectations, but he heads into this season with a clear mind, not having to worry about his health. That should make a difference and his numbers should improve in 2009. Crane withdrew after the third round of the Northern Trust Open due to a neck injury.

If there's one thing we know for certain about Crane, it's that he can putt. For the third consecutive year Crane finished in the top-10 in putting on the PGA Tour. Being solid in one area doesn't always equate to good results, but the ability to putt will usually keep you in the game. Here's what to expect from Crane. He's going to make the cut most weeks, but finish poorly in a majority of those events. He will, however, place well a few times throughout the season. He's basically guaranteed to have a couple good events, with the possibility of more than a couple good events. The upside is high and the risk is fairly low.

If you are going to select Ben Crane, you better hope he's going to win at least once during the year. It seems as though Crane is only capable of having a good year when he wins. That might seem obvious, but there are plenty of players on tour who can earn quite a bit without winning (see Chris DiMarco). Crane seems to come up big, once or twice a year, and surrounding those efforts are a bunch of missed cuts and 50th-place finishes. Crane might win again this year, but either way it's not worth the risk.

After earning slighty more than $1 million in 2004, Crane seems to be getting his game in order. He's already one of the better welders with the flat stick, so if he can keep the ball in the fairway, we see him moving up to about $1.5 million in '05.

Crane can putt but has a problem with striking the ball. Crane earned over half of his money from a win at the Bell South Classic. Over the past two years Crane has finished 36th and 4th in putting, so that will keep him competitive, but he has to get the ball striking in order before we can get behind him.