A plastic preform is provided that includes a hollow body portion including a closed bottom portion and a lower portion extending upwardly from the lower portion; and a neck portion extending upwardly from the lower portion. The neck portion includes a dispensing opening; threads positioned below the dispensing opening; a tamper-evident formation positioned below the threads; and a support flange positioned below the tamper-evident formation, the support flange having an upper surface and lower surface. In an embodiment, the preform is formed of a material comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET); the threads comprise multiple-lead threads; the weight of the neck portion from the lower surface of the support flange to a top of the dispensing opening is 3.0 grams or less; and the vertical distance from the top of the dispensing opening to the lower surface of the support flange is 0.500 inches or less. A method is also disclosed.