Mike Brown (R&A) and Stewart Cink
Tom Watson (Runner Up) and Matteo Manassero (Leading Amateur)
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Stewart Cink beats tiring Tom Watson in four-hole play-off for Open title
FROM THE R&A WEBSITE
American Ryder Cup player Stewart Cink is the new Open champion, snatching the title from the hands of compatriot Tom Watson in a four-hole play off after they tied on a two-under-par total of 278 at Turnberry this evening.
Watson, who had turned the clock back all week, ran out of time in his bid to win his sixth Open over the same course where he won his second in 1977. The dream ended in anti-climatic fashion as the 59-year-old five-time champion wearied over the extra holes and destroyed his chances when he took two shots to force himself clear of the thick rough to the left of the 17th fairway. As they walked off that green he trailed 36-year-old Cink by four shots.
The final hole was a formality. Watson blocked his tee shot into the crowd and was in rough short of the green in two. Cink hit two perfect shots to less then three feet and tapped in the winning putt. Watson, sadly, trailed by six shots.
Unfortunately for the talented Cink, who has earned his place in the higher echelons of the game, he was cast in the role of villain.
Playing in his 50th major championship, Cink created his shot at the title with a closing round of 69, making up three shots on Watson over the final 18 holes. He has won five tournaments on the US PGA Tour over the past 12 years and has played in 11 Opens with a previous best of tied for sixth at Carnoustie in 2007.
He took up the game when his parents, both single handicap players, left him at the driving range before he was old enough to go on the course.
“I grew up watching Tom Watson on television and hoped I could one day follow in his footsteps,” said Cink. “I never expected to be playing against him. It has been a surreal experience on one of my favourite courses in this wonderful championship.”
Ross Fisher started his last round birdie-birdie to take the lead but ran up a catastrophic quadruple bogey 8 a few holes later and his chance had gone.
Lee Westwood was in the leading pair on and off after that but dropped crucial shots over the last few holes and he too finished with an anti-climax of three putts on the 18th to fall out of joint second place.
Chris Wood, the Englishman who won the silver medal as leading amateur at Royal Birkdale 12 months ago, did amazingly well as a rookie pro to tie for third place with Westwood on 279.
FUTURE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP VENUES
2010 ST ANDREWS, Fife
2011 ROYAL ST GEORGE'S, Kent.
2012 ROYAL LYTHAM & ST ANNE'S, Lancashire.
2103 MUIRFIELD, East Lothian.
Thanks go to Colin Farquharson for the report -- Go to Scottish Golf View to keep up to date with all Golfing news within Scotland
