Champion's cool head prevails in battle of minds and hearts

Published on Monday 20 July 2009 01:03

ONLY the fourth man to be hailed as the champion golfer at Turnberry – he followed in the illustrious footsteps of Tom Watson, Greg Norman and Nick Price – Stewart Cink shrugged off mixed feelings about defeating the five-time Open champion in a play-off and harnessed that sense of conflict to clear his mind and collect the Claret Jug.

Accustomed to playing a bit part in the biggest events rather than one of the leading men roles favoured by Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, Cink emerged from the ranks to accept the best golfer award on the Ailsa. He's usually the underdog and expects to hear the galleries cheer for someone else. It happened to him here on Saturday when he was paired with Lee Westwood and it happened again in the play-off with Watson.

Asked to describe what it was like to thwart a legend, Cink replied: "Extraordinary just tips the iceberg. Playing against Tom Watson in a major, this stuff just does not happen. I grew up watching him. He has turned back the clock and I feel so happy just being part of it. The Tom Watson who won the Open here in 1977 showed up again this week."

Like the great man in 1977 when he defeated Jack Nicklaus and was certain from the start of the Duel in the Sun he was playing well enough to win, Cink arrived in Scotland at peace with his game and himself. "I've just felt very calm all week," he said. "I wasn't nervous, as I have been in the past. And I also found something in my swing."

Although he eventually found his destiny in Ayrshire, Cink has suffered disappointment in the majors. In 2001, he missed an 18-inch putt on the last green at Southern Hills that would have put him in a play-off for the US Open with Retief Goosen, the winner, and Mark Brooks.

Before Turnberry, Cink had some form in Scotland at the oldest major. He was 14th at Troon five years ago and sixth at Carnoustie in 2007. A clean ball striker and astute course manager – he's one of the American Ryder Cup side's safest pair of hands in foursomes – the winner of six PGA Tour events has long fancied his chances on the linksland.

"Links golf and I really like each other," he smiled. "I've always enjoyed playing in this championship. The weather dictates your score and you have to keep your composure." By way of preparation for Turnberry, he took a leaf out of Tiger's book and spent last week in Ireland playing links courses.

At the prize-giving, he struck the right balance between pride in his own success and admiration for Watson.

"I stand here a little bit intimidated by this piece of hardware I have in my hands," he said of the Claret Jug. "There are a lot of emotions running through my mind and my heart and I'm so proud to be here with this. My hat's off to Tom. He turned back the clock and did a great job. It was fun watching you all week Tom."

Tipping 6ft 4ins and shaven headed, the American is one of the tallest winners of a major title. He comes from a golfing family and his parents, who were single-figure players, reputedly once left him as a youngster at the driving range. It was a ploy which rewarded Cink with a cheque for 750,000 yesterday and earned him a spot among the elite band of men who have their names inscribed on the jug.