Well, this is unsightly for the PGA Tour. Though kind of great for those of us at home.
Longtime pro Tom Gillis surprised quite a few people when he came out of nowhere (or, more accurately, off the top rope) with this accusation levied at Ben Crane, a five-time winner, and renowned as one of the slowest guys out there. (Like, playing pace-wise. Not mentally.)
@bencranegolf Not only do u STEAL players time on the course now your not paying off your bets. 6k on putting green. Minister wld b proud
— Tom Gillis (@tcgillis) April 25, 2017
That’s three insults wrapped in one Tweet! Hyper-efficient from Gillis. Making fun of Crane’s slow play, ripping him for not paying off a bet, then pointing out the various levels of hypocrisy involved from the overtly religious Crane.
Golf Twitter was instantly curious:
? gonna wanna hear the story here https://t.co/2UVMfDyJoz
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) April 26, 2017
And Gillis obliged:
Not much of a story. One dude lost 6k and won't pay. He thinks he should get to play PING PONG to even it up. What's next a big wheel race? https://t.co/xpxXX9wwaM
— Tom Gillis (@tcgillis) April 26, 2017
Not everyone was thrilled with Gillis inserting himself into the convo:
@tcgillis is apparently broken up about a bet he wasn't even a part of? This has more to do with his dislike for @bencranegolf than a bet.
— Vinny Cardi (@VinnySticks) April 26, 2017
To which Gillis once again had a solid reply at the ready:
No this is a person I've known since he was 14 who confided in me as to what to do. This was 2.5 months ago he lost. Accountability ? https://t.co/CF8I1RCtz3
— Tom Gillis (@tcgillis) April 26, 2017
That player is young stud Daniel Berger, currently ranked 37th in the world. Berger apparently took Crane for the $6,000 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, only to be stiffed for months. There’s potentially an entire discussion to be had about the prevalence of gambling on the PGA Tour, with professionals who tee it up for paychecks every week being so comfortable betting; side games have to be common, and though this one apparently took place on the practice green, it’s still something.
But the main point is, and should be, that Ben Crane needs to pay up. You don’t gamble if you’re not willing to pay. That’s how it is. And if you don’t, you’re going to get roasted. Even Charley Hoffman got into the action:
Apparently the beef has been squashed. But it’s just $6,000, Ben. You’ve made more than $20,000,000 in winnings. It’s not rocket science here.
And also play faster.
