Overview
Stewart Ernest Cink (born May 21, 1973) is an American professional golfer who has been a regular presence on the PGA Tour since the late 1990s. He is best known for winning the 2009 Open Championship at Turnberry, a major victory secured in a dramatic four-hole playoff. Over the course of his career Cink has recorded multiple victories at significant PGA Tour events and reached a career-high position inside the world top 10.
Early life and amateur background
Cink was born in Huntsville, Alabama and raised in nearby Florence, where he attended Bradshaw High School and graduated in 1991. He then played collegiate golf at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, representing the Yellow Jackets before turning professional in 1995. For more on his early career and amateur results, see his professional biography and collegiate profile at Georgia Tech athletics.
Professional breakthrough and PGA Tour career
After turning pro, Cink earned momentum on developmental circuits, winning events including the Mexican Open and several tournaments on the Nike Tour (now the Korn Ferry Tour) in 1996. He joined the PGA Tour in 1997 and captured the Canon Greater Hartford Open in his rookie season. Across subsequent seasons he added further Tour victories such as the MCI Classic and the Heritage, and he recorded a high-profile World Golf Championships win at the WGC-NEC Invitational. Cink has also enjoyed success at the Travelers Championship and other longtime PGA Tour stops; a summary of his notable wins and milestones is available via his career record.
Peak years, world ranking and team play
The mid-2000s represented a particularly strong stretch for Cink. In 2004 he finished near the top of the PGA Tour money list, helped by multiple top finishes and a WGC title. In 2008 he rose to his highest official world ranking—inside the top 10—after a victory at the Travelers Championship. Cink has also represented the United States in international team competitions and featured in marquee match-play events, including a high-profile runner-up finish in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.
Major championship: The 2009 Open at Turnberry
Cink’s most celebrated achievement came at the 2009 Open Championship. On the final hole of regulation he birdied while his nearest rival bogeyed, forcing a playoff against Tom Watson. The four-hole aggregate playoff ended with Cink prevailing, earning his first major title. The match received widespread attention both for the quality of play and for Watson’s bid to claim a major in his late fifties. Contemporary accounts and tournament archives offer further detail at major championship records and tournament coverage here.
Playing style, reputation and later career
Cink has long been regarded as a steady, dependable competitor—valued for consistent ball-striking, course management, and resilience under pressure. Across decades on tour he has combined occasional high-profile wins with many top-10 finishes and has been a familiar figure in the world rankings and season leaderboards. For updates on his recent activity, statistics and ongoing appearances, consult his official pages and ongoing coverage at tour updates.
Career highlights
- Winner of the 2009 Open Championship (playoff victory at Turnberry).
- Victories at World Golf Championships and regular PGA Tour events, including the WGC-NEC Invitational and the Travelers Championship.
- Reached the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings and achieved a career-high inside the top 10 in 2008.
- Longstanding presence on the PGA Tour with multiple seasons of consistent play and high finishes.
Notable facts
- Cink’s 2009 Open playoff opponent, Tom Watson, was 59 at the time—a storyline that drew global attention to the championship.
- Earlier in his career Cink built momentum on the Nike Tour, which paved his way to the PGA Tour.
- He has been recognized for durability and longevity: remaining competitive on the professional circuit for more than two decades.