Stewart Cink Bio
Stewart Ernest Cink, born on May 21, 1973, is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He is best known for winning the 2009 Open Championship at Turnberry, where he defeated five-time champion Tom Watson in a four-hole aggregate playoff. Over the course of his career, Cink has accumulated multiple PGA Tour titles and reached a career-high ranking of fifth in the Official World Golf Ranking in 2008.
Standing 193 centimeters tall and weighing 93 kilograms, Cink has remained a consistent presence on professional golf circuits for nearly three decades. He has represented the United States in international team competitions and earned several prestigious awards throughout his playing career. Beyond competitive golf, he is recognized for his sportsmanship and longevity in the sport.
Early Life and Background
Stewart Ernest Cink was born in Huntsville, Alabama, and raised in nearby Florence, where he attended Bradshaw High School. Growing up in the northern part of Alabama, he was introduced to golf at a young age and developed his game on regional courses. His early dedication to the sport laid the foundation for what would become a distinguished professional career.
After graduating from Bradshaw High School in 1991, Cink enrolled at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, where he played collegiate golf for the Yellow Jackets. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1995 with a degree in Management, balancing his academic commitments with an increasingly competitive golf schedule. His college experience provided him with the structure and high-level competition needed to prepare for professional golf.
Cink’s amateur achievements were notable, including winning the Haskins Award in 1995, which is presented annually to the most outstanding collegiate golfer in the United States. This recognition confirmed his status as one of the top amateur players in the country and helped set the stage for his transition to the professional ranks later that same year.
Path to Professional Golf
Stewart Ernest Cink turned professional in 1995 and quickly began making his mark in developmental professional circuits. In 1996, he won the Mexican Open and added three victories on the Nike Tour, which is now known as the Korn Ferry Tour. These early wins demonstrated his ability to compete at a high level and gave him the credentials needed to earn status on the PGA Tour.
In 1997, Cink joined the PGA Tour as a rookie and wasted no time proving his talent. He captured his first PGA Tour victory at the Canon Greater Hartford Open during his rookie season, a remarkable accomplishment that highlighted his composure on big stages. His performance that year earned him the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year award, signaling the arrival of a promising new star.
Following his successful rookie campaign, Cink continued to build his reputation with consistent play across multiple seasons. He added another PGA Tour win at the 2000 MCI Classic, demonstrating his growing consistency. By the early 2000s, he had established himself as a reliable competitor capable of contending in the highest-profile tournaments.
Stewart Cink Career
Early Career (1995–2003)
Stewart Ernest Cink’s early professional years were marked by steady progression and increasing visibility on the PGA Tour. After his 1997 rookie victory at the Canon Greater Hartford Open, he continued to refine his game and post strong finishes in subsequent seasons. The 2000 MCI Classic win provided another important milestone and reinforced his reputation as a talented American golfer.
One of the most memorable near-misses of this era came at the 2001 U.S. Open, where Cink contended for the title but missed the playoff by a single stroke after making a double-bogey on the 72nd hole. Despite the disappointment, the performance demonstrated that he had the game to compete in major championships. He entered the mid-2000s with growing confidence and a stronger all-around skill set.
Prime Years and Major Breakthrough (2004–2009)
The period from 2004 to 2009 represented the peak of Stewart Ernest Cink’s career. In 2004, he finished fifth on the PGA Tour money list, bolstered by victories at the MCI Heritage and the WGC-NEC Invitational, one of the elite World Golf Championships events. These wins elevated his status globally and pushed him into the upper tier of the Official World Golf Ranking.
On February 24, 2008, Cink reached the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Marana, Arizona, where he fell 8 and 7 in the 36-hole final to top-ranked Tiger Woods. Later that year, he captured the Travelers Championship in suburban Hartford, an event that helped him reach his career-high ranking of fifth in the world. From 2004 to 2009, he spent over 40 weeks inside the top 10 of the rankings.
On July 19, 2009, Cink achieved the defining moment of his career by winning the 138th Open Championship at Turnberry, Scotland. He defeated 59-year-old Tom Watson, a five-time Open champion, by six strokes in a four-hole aggregate playoff. The victory came after Cink birdied the 72nd hole while Watson bogeyed, forcing the playoff. The major championship title cemented his legacy as one of the top American golfers of his generation.
Sustained Success (2010–Present)
Following his 2009 Open Championship victory, Stewart Ernest Cink continued to compete at a high level on the PGA Tour. On September 13, 2020, he won the Safeway Open, marking his first PGA Tour victory in more than a decade. The win signaled a remarkable late-career resurgence and reminded the golf world of his enduring talent.
On April 18, 2021, Cink won the RBC Heritage for the third time, becoming the fourth player to win twice in the same PGA Tour season after turning 47, joining the company of Sam Snead, Julius Boros, and Kenny Perry. During that tournament, he broke the lowest 36-hole and 54-hole scoring records. In recognition of his character and contributions to the sport, he received the Payne Stewart Award in 2017.
Cink has also found success on the PGA Tour Champions, winning four events on the senior circuit. His ability to compete and win across multiple decades underscores his dedication, fitness, and passion for the game. He continues to be regarded as one of the most respected figures in American professional golf.
Driving Style and Strengths
Stewart Ernest Cink is known for his consistency, course management, and powerful ball-striking. His long drives and accurate iron play have allowed him to contend on a wide variety of course layouts. Strategic thinking and patience have been hallmarks of his approach, particularly in major championships where steady play is often rewarded.
Notable Events and Milestones
The 2009 Open Championship victory at Turnberry remains the signature achievement of Stewart Ernest Cink’s career. Other major milestones include his 2004 WGC-NEC Invitational win, his 2008 Travelers Championship victory, and his record-setting 2021 RBC Heritage triumph. Winning the Safeway Open in 2020 after an 11-year PGA Tour victory drought stands as one of the most dramatic comebacks of his era.
Stewart Cink Career Wins
Stewart Ernest Cink has accumulated 20 professional wins across multiple tours and competitions throughout his career. His victories span the PGA Tour, the Nike Tour, the PGA Tour Champions, the Latin American circuit, and the Hooters Tour, reflecting a well-rounded and long-lasting competitive career.
PGA Tour Highlights
Stewart Ernest Cink has recorded eight PGA Tour victories, including the 2009 Open Championship. His first PGA Tour win came at the 1997 Canon Greater Hartford Open, and he added further titles at events such as the 2000 MCI Classic, the 2004 MCI Heritage, the 2004 WGC-NEC Invitational, the 2008 Travelers Championship, the 2020 Safeway Open, and the 2021 RBC Heritage. His most recent PGA Tour victory was the 2021 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the PGA Tour, Stewart Ernest Cink has won three events on the Nike Tour, one event on the Hooters Tour, two Latin American titles, and four PGA Tour Champions events. These victories across developmental, regional, and senior circuits highlight his versatility and sustained competitiveness throughout different stages of his career.
Stewart Cink Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Stewart Ernest Cink’s family background is rooted in the Huntsville and Florence communities of northern Alabama, where he developed his early passion for golf. His upbringing in the region and education at Bradshaw High School helped shape the work ethic that has defined his professional career.
Personal Life
Stewart Ernest Cink is married to Lisa Cink, and the couple has two sons named Connor and Reagan. The family resides in Duluth, Georgia, where Cink has been based for much of his professional career. He is known publicly as a Christian, and his family has remained an important part of his life throughout his time on tour.
2025 Season Performance
Stewart Ernest Cink continued to compete on the PGA Tour Champions in 2025, building on the strong form he displayed in previous seasons. With four PGA Tour Champions wins already to his name, he remained a contender on the senior circuit and aimed to add to his list of titles. His experience and course management skills positioned him well for success against fellow seasoned competitors.
Throughout the 2025 season, Cink drew on the consistency and ball-striking ability that have defined his career. His continued presence near the top of leaderboards reflected his dedication to fitness and technique even well into his fifties. Fans and analysts closely followed his performances as he pursued additional milestones on the Champions circuit.
Looking ahead, Stewart Ernest Cink’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 remains positive, with opportunities to win on the PGA Tour Champions and potentially appear in major championships. His enduring competitiveness and professional approach suggest he will continue to be a notable figure in American golf for the foreseeable future.