Crane regroups for win in Asia

SELANGOR, Malaysia — Once he became eligible to play a few Asian tournaments, Ben Crane wasn't immediately sure he wanted to go halfway around the world for golf. It's already paying off in a big way.

Crane drove the 292-yard 15th hole to within 8 feet for eagle then won the inaugural Asia Pacific Classic on Sunday with an 8-foot birdie putt on the last hole to close with 2-under 69 and beat Brian Davis by one shot.

"I had a great opportunity with that putt (on 18), which I'll always remember," Crane said. "I was so nervous, and I was just praying. I just wanted to hit a good putt and to see it go into the hole. It felt so good."

Crane, who won the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in January, finished at 18-under 266. He earned $1 million and heads to Shanghai for the HSBC Champions and its $7.5 million purse.

The PGA Tour and Asian Tour sanctioned the Asia Pacific Classic, but with only a 40-man field it does not count as an official PGA victory for Crane. He still earned world ranking points and likely will move into the top 35.

Davis went birdie-eagle-birdie at the finish to shoot 66.

Crane nearly let it get away, making three straight bogeys to fall one shot behind Martin Laird. But his tee shot on 15 settled 8 feet from the cup, and he regained the lead with his eagle.

CHAMPIONS: Monday qualifier Rod Spittle won the AT&T Championship in San Antonio, Texas, for his first tour win, beating Jeff Sluman with par on the first playoff hole. Spittle and Sluman closed with 4-under 67s to finish at 12 under. John Cook (68), second-round leader Larry Nelson (70) and Chien Soon Lu (69) tied for third at 11 under.

LPGA: Na Yeon Choi defended her title in the Hana Bank Championship in Incheon, South Korea, shooting 3-under 69 for a two-stroke victory over Vicky Hurst. Choi finished at 10 under for her second tour victory of the year and took over the top spot on the money list with $1,742,028. Seminole's Brittany Lincicome shot 2-over 74 to finish at 2-over and in a tie for 35th. Paula Creamer shot the low round of the day, a 5-under 67 to move into a tie for fourth.

NATIONWIDE: Brendan Steele won the Tour Championship in Charleston, S.C., beating Colt Knost on the fourth hole of a playoff. Both finished among the top 25 money winners to earn their 2011 PGA Tour cards. Rookie Jamie Lovemark, 22, maintained his No. 1 position on the money list to earn a full PGA Tour exemption and entry into the Players Championship. Justin Hicks edged Scott Gardiner for the 25th and final PGA spot.