Jul 19, 2009, 20:12 GMT
Turnberry, Scotland - Stewart Cink eventually overcame gritty veteran Tom Watson after a play-off Sunday to claim victory in the 138th British Open and win a golfing major after 12 long years on the PGA Tour.
Cink, who had started his week at Turnberry with a 66, followed by rounds of 72 and 71, found himself three shots behind surprise leader Watson at the start of the final day, but gradually moved into contention on the back nine.
Despite missing a birdie opportunity on the 17th, which appeared to have extinguished his victory hopes, Cink made amends on 18, sinking a 4-metre birdie to register a 69 for a total of 278 and set up a two-man battle with Watson.
After making what he described as 'the most crucial putt that I have ever struck in my life', Cink took full advantage of Watson's failure to make par on the same hole to go on and win a four-hole playoff over holes 5, 6, 17 and 18 by six shots.
'It's been a surreal experience for me, not only playing one of my favourite courses in a wonderful tournament but playing against Tom Watson,' said Cink.
'My hat's off to him. He turned back the clock. Just did a great job. I speak for all the rest of the people here, too.'
The overwhelming majority of the fans at the Ayrshire links course clearly wanted Watson to succeed in his efforts to become the oldest man in history to win a golf major but the 59-year-old eventually had to bow to Cink's flawless performance in the play-off.
Although Cink's victory was greeted with virtual stunned silence by the gallery, the 36-year-old said he was used to coming in 'under the radar'.
The world number 33 struggled with a cold in the early rounds and was never top of the leaderboard all week until Watson missed his putt on 18.
From then on, however, he showed steely determination in the play- off, securing the Claret Jug with two birdies as Watson's challenge crumbled.
'It's been a surreal experience for me, not only playing one of may favourite courses in a wonderful tournament but playing against Tom Watson,' said the man from Alabama.
'I grew up watching Tom Watson on TV hoping I could emulate him, not play against him.'
So in his 56th major and 12th British Open since turning professional in 1995, Cink has finally shown the consistency that saw him spend 39 weeks in the top 10 from 2004 to 2008.
'I have felt very calm all week about the golf course,' he said. 'I haven't had the best year but I hit the ball solidly all week.'
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