Stewart Cink Takes Home First Major As Tom Watson Fades

It came down to an 8 foot putt.  One putt, on the 18th hole of his magical run at the 2009 British Open and Tom Watson just couldn't find the hole.  That miss, that costly miss on the 18th set up a playoff that he just couldn't find the strength for, and fortunately for Stewart Cink, that miss set up his ultimate victory.

Watson Comes Up Just Short

To say that this weekend has been magical might be an understatement.  We have witnessed history over the last 4 days as a 59-year-old Tom Watson came within one tiny putt of becoming the oldest winner in the entire history of the PGA Tour.  He played magnificent golf all weekend but when he needed it the most, on the 4-hole playoff that Cink forced by sinking a long birdie putt on his 18th, Watson just didn't have the energy or the shots he needed to stay with him.  Over those last 4 short holes, he fell apart and ended up losing by an extremely large margin for such a small number of holes.

Cink's Birdie Gave Momentum

That said, this tournament was ripe for the picking, and golf fans and announcers at the event were quick to say, the winner would be the golfer who reached out and took it.  Stewart Cink did exactly that with his amazing birdie on 18, and his smooth, consistent and perfect play through the 4 holes of the playoff.  When he sunk his final putt, Cink not only took home the trophy for the Open Championship, but his first major in his impressive career.

Congrats Cink...Thank You Watson

So first and foremost, a huge congratulations to Stewart Cink, who played exceptional golf and showed the perfect amount of composure and skill in the 4-hold playoff round to end up -2 to Tom Watson's +4.  Secondly, however, I believe golf fans around the world should say a very sincere Thank You to Tom Watson.  He made this tournament one of the most exciting, emotional and entertaining golf tournaments this year.  It's hard to pull so hard for someone and to come up just inches short, but for Watson, it was well worth it.

Well played guys...well played indeed.

(image via Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images)