Stewart Cink’s Triumph at the Senior PGA Championship
Stewart Cink made history this weekend by extending his dominance in 50-and-older golf to major-tournament play, securing a victory at the Senior PGA Championship. The Florence native showcased exceptional performance throughout the event, ultimately winning by six shots over Ben Crane.
Cink delivered a remarkable final round, carding a 9-under 63, which he described as one of the best rounds of his professional career. His performance was not only impressive in terms of scoring but also in its consistency and composure under pressure.
Throughout the four-round tournament, Cink managed to post a 19-under total, just one shot short of the record-to-par for the Senior PGA Championship set by Sam Snead in 1973. This achievement took place at Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida, where Cink’s Sunday round set a new course record.
“I’m really satisfied with winning my first major on the PGA Tour Champions,” Cink shared. “It’s a grueling golf course to compete over four days. It’s hot. The golf course is in incredible shape, but it really is testing out there. You don’t have to veer very far off to find trouble.”
Cink emphasized the importance of staying present during the tournament. “I did a good job staying in the present, and that’s probably one of the things I look back on and being the most proud of is that I was patient — patient and present, really, this week. A lot of good shots. Not all great shots, but managed myself really well.”
The victory came after a strong performance in the third round, where Cink trailed leader Keith Horne by one shot. He took command of the tournament by playing a five-hole stretch in 5 under, starting with an eagle at the par-five seventh hole. Cink birdied the eighth and ninth holes to make the turn at 5 under, followed by a par on the 10th. He then rolled in a 35-foot birdie putt on the par-3 11th and continued with birdies on the 13th, 14th, and 17th holes.
This win marked Cink’s second major championship. In 2009, he defeated Tom Watson in a playoff to win the Open Championship at Turnberry in Scotland. Reflecting on the two victories, Cink said, “It’s hard to compare the two, but the level of satisfaction and validation feels the same. I actually feel like I’m probably more in control now than I was then. I feel like I’m a more complete player now than I was that year.”
Cink’s success at the Senior PGA Championship came after earning the Jack Nicklaus Award as the PGA Tour Champions Player of the Year in 2025. He entered the oldest major championship in men’s senior golf with two victories, a runner-up finish, and a sixth-place showing in his four outings on the PGA Tour Champions in 2026.
In addition to the $540,000 first-place check, Cink also earned a lifetime exemption into the Senior PGA Championship with his victory.
