Stewart Cink has been a senior success the last two seasons, winning six times and capturing the season-long Charles Schwab Cup points title a year ago.
But he hadn’t won a major. Key word: hadn’t.
The 52-year-old who won the 2009 British Open for his lone major on the PGA Tour, ran away from the field Sunday at the Senior PGA Championship, shooting a bogey-free nine-under 63 at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla., to win by six shots.
The 63, which included seven birdies and an eagle, was the best score of the day by three shots. Ben Crane, who only turned 50 last month, finished second after shooting 68. Pat Perez played in his first PGA Tour-sanctioned event since leaving LIV Golf after his contract expired in 2024 and finished 11 shots back in a tie for fifth.
“We definitely got our champion that we wanted, the guy who was playing the best golf,” Crane said. “Very impressive day for Stewart, one of my closest friends. Couldn't be more thankful to see him come out on it.
“I played great golf, so I don't mind getting beat when it's that good of golf.”
Cink won the Hoag Classic three weeks ago for his second title this year and sixth of his senior career. He was more than happy to finally add to his career major total.
“It's really satisfying to win my first major on the PGA Tour Champions,” he said. “It's a grueling golf course to compete over four days. It's hot. The golf course is in incredible shape, but it really is testing out there. You don't have to veer very far off to find trouble.
“I did a good job staying in the present, and that's probably one of the things I look back on and being the most proud of is that I was patient, patient and present, really this week. A lot of good shots. Not all great shots, but managed myself really well.
“Today was just one of the best rounds I've played as a professional golfer. It was just really good.”
For the first few holes, the result was in question, but Cink then played Nos. 7-9 in four under par to race out to a big lead. Birdies at Nos. 11, 13 and 14 put the trophy out of reach for everyone else, and Cink was able to play the last four holes with no stress.
Darren Carroll/PGA of America
Sure, it’s not the same as winning the British Open in 2009 at Turnberry. That week, most everyone in the golf world was cheering for 59-year-old Tom Watson to win, which he nearly did. But he made bogey on the 72nd hole and Cink easily topped him in a playoff.
Also, Cink was a much younger man then, although he says age is only a number, and believes he’s a better player now than he was that historic day in Scotland.
“It's hard to compare the two … but the level of satisfaction and validation feels the same,” Cink said. “I actually feel like I'm probably more in control now than I was then. I feel like I'm a more complete player now than I was that year.
“It's a maddening and rewarding and awesome game all at the same time. Days like today makes we want to get up early in the morning and go and work hard again. It just felt so good out there today. I almost didn't want it to end.”