CRUEL IN THE SUN; 138TH OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP: Cink wrecks Watson's Tumberry fairytale: CRUEL IN THE SUN FOR TOM.Byline: Gary Ralston STEWART CINK Stewart Ernest Cink (born May 21, 1973) is an American golfer who has featured in the top ten of the Official World Golf Rankings. Cink was born in Huntsville, Alabama. He attended Georgia Tech, where he played golf for the Yellow Jackets, and turned professional in 1995. slashed a red pen through the greatest story in sport yesterday when he won The Open at Turnberry. The American held his nerve to see off Tom Watson in a play-off and deny the championship the fairytale ending almost everyone wanted. Cink birdied the 18th to finish on two under and when Watson bogeyed Turn to Page 55 From Back Page the last it took the tournament to a nerve-shredding shoot-out over an additional four holes. Cink, 36, kept his cool as fatigue finally told on Watson, who would have become the oldest Open champion in history at 59 years and 318 days. Cink became the most unpopular Open winner ever in the circumstances but couldn't have cared less as he strolled down the 18th to clinch his first Major title. It was agonising for Watson, who had hoped to send a clutch of records tumbling as he attempted to lift the Claret claret: see wine. Jug for the sixth time. He had hoped to establish a new record for the biggest gap between Open victories as success yesterday would have come 26 years after he last came good at Birkdale in 1983. He was also aiming for a new record for the biggest gap between victories in the tournament, with his first win at Carnoustie in 1975. AWatson triumph would also have tied him as the most successful Open winner ever with Harry Vardon Harry Vardon (May 9, 1870 – March 20, 1937) was an English golfer and member of the fabled Great Triumvirate of the sport in his day, along with John Henry Taylor and James Braid. Harry Vardon was born in Grouville, Jersey, Channel Islands. and moved him to fourth equal in the all-time list of Major winners with nine, the same as Ben Hogan and Gary Player. However, there was to be no Turnberry triumph for Watson, 32 years after the famous Duel in the Sun with Jack Nicklaus captivated cap·ti·vate tr.v. cap·ti·vat·ed, cap·ti·vat·ing, cap·ti·vates 1. To attract and hold by charm, beauty, or excellence. See Synonyms at charm. 2. Archaic To capture. the world of sport. The British challenge also wilted at the death, with Chris Wood and Lee Westwood finishing tied third on one under, although Luke Donald shot an impressive 67 to finish one stroke behind. Dad-to-be Ross Fisher shot a hugely disappointing 75 to finish two over alongside Justin Rose and Italian amateur Matteo Manassero. CAPTION(S): CINK PLUNGER: The dream turned to agony for Tom Watson as Stuart Cink, far left, stole the Turnberry glory |
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