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Crane shoots 65, takes early lead at St. Jude

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ben Crane shot a 5-under 65 Friday to grab a six-stroke lead during the rain-delayed second round of the St. Jude Classic at the TPC Southwind.

Crane birdied his final hole Thursday night for a 63 and rolled in a 44-footer for birdie to start Friday morning en route to a round with six birdies and one bogey.

That gave him a 128 total through 36 holes and a 12 under that matches the winning score here a year ago.

“I certainly didn’t see this coming,” Crane said. “But you know when you’re putting well, I started to feel like I was a little more in control of my ball, just felt like I was tightening my draws and fades a little bit.

“I had access to some holes I haven’t this year and so gosh, it’s been an incredible two days.”

Crane has spent the past six months changing his swing to protect his back.

A four-time PGA Tour winner, Crane’s last win came in 2011 at the McGladrey Classic and his best finish this year was a tie for ninth at The Humana Challenge in January.

But he was in such pain he had a therapist with him getting treatment during the round.

“It’s been a really, really hard year, racking my brain what’s going on, what’s going wrong and have I changed that much,” Crane said. “You start wondering, `Am I going to get it back.’ So this is super encouraging. My wife said last night, `looks like you still got it.’

Because you wonder. But anyway, it’s been a fun start.”

Davis Love III (70) and Billy Horschel (68) were in at 5 under.

Carl Petterson was at 6 under with a hole to play, and Jason Bohn was at 6 under with two remaining.

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