Champ says no regrets for foiling golf legend

TURNBERRY, Scotland – Stewart Cink was aware he had spoiled the party at the British Open here Sunday but that did nothing to take away from his sense of achievement.

The 36-year-old from Alabama, got the better of a weary Tom Watson in a four-hole British Open play-off to claim his debut major win on a day of high drama at Turnberry, denying his 59-year-old compatriot the chance to become the oldest major winner in history.

A distinct anti-climactic atmosphere spread over the suddenly cold links as the cheers and roars that had accompanied Watson around the course gave way to polite applause for Cink on the biggest day of his career.

He is no stranger to not being the crowd favorite.

“I’m engulfed by the joy, for sure, but I can understand the mystique that came really close to developing here and the story,” he said.

“I don’t feel ashamed. I don’t feel disappointed. I’m pleased as punch that I’ve won this tournament, and also proud of the way Tom Watson played because he showed what a great game we all play.

“It’s not the first time I’ve been in that situation. I’ve played plenty of times with Tiger and hearing the Tiger roars and Mickelson.

“I’m usually the guy that the crowd appreciate but they’re not behind me 100 percent of the way.

“So that’s the sort of role I’ve been cast into for my whole career. And, hey, that’s not the worst. It’s okay.”

A solid, but unspectacular player, he has been a regular contender over the last 14 years since he turned professional but rarely a winner, the last of his five titles coming at last year’s Travelers Championship.

A good team player from his college days at Georgia Tech, Cink has also grown into a key member of the US Ryder Cup team, but he was beginning to doubt his own abilities to win at the very highest level. (AP)