| rt Cink won the 138th Open last week and he has | | | | as it would have given him a sixth Open victory. |
| described the victory as "surreal". He beat off tough | | | | Cink had a different turn of events on the final hole |
| competition against golfing legend Tom Watson. | | | | when he sunk a 14 foot birdie putt to take a final round |
| Cink won by a massive six shots against Watson in | | | | of 69 and two under. |
| the play off after the two had both finished at two | | | | The world number 33 cited the importance of his putt |
| under par. | | | | on the 18th but also highlighted the preparation he had |
| "It's been a surreal experience," said Cink. "Playing | | | | put in beforehand as the keys to his success. |
| against Tom Watson, this stuff just does not happen. | | | | "It is the most crucial putt I've ever struck," he said. |
| "I grew up watching him - he has turned back the | | | | "Nothing even comes close. It's just such a sweet |
| clock and I feel so happy just being part of it." | | | | feeling to hole one at that moment. |
| Cink has not had the best of records at Open | | | | "I felt calm all week about the course, and I played |
| championships as he has only ever had one top 10 | | | | some links in Ireland. |
| finish. Also he has only had five PGA Tour victories to | | | | "I found my swing before the tournament started and |
| his name since turning pro in 1995. Cink is a good | | | | that helped me hit the ball solid and my putting was |
| player and has a very well technique to play golf but | | | | right on target all week." |
| his performance not according to that, in most of the | | | | The American, Watson, was extremely disappointed |
| tournament he started very well but not finish | | | | that he could have been the oldest ever major |
| that’s why he don’t have very good no. | | | | champion. |
| of titles. | | | | "It would have been a hell of a story, wouldn't it?" said |
| "I stand here a little intimidated by this piece of | | | | Watson. |
| hardware I have in my hand," admitted Cink at the | | | | "It tears out your gut like it's always torn out my gut. It's |
| presentation ceremony. | | | | not easy to take. I put myself in position to win and |
| "There are a lot of emotions running through my mind | | | | didn't do it. |
| and my heart and I'm so proud to be here with this. | | | | "I hit a lousy putt and the play-off was one bad shot |
| "I've waited a while for this and I don't have a great | | | | after another. Stewart did what he had to do and I |
| record at the Open but that's all gone now." | | | | didn't give him much competition. |
| The story could have been a lot different however if | | | | "But what I take from this week is a lot of warmth - |
| Watson had sank his eight foot putt for par on the final | | | | the crowds were just wonderful to me all week - and |
| hole. Instead he missed and later failed to beat Cink in | | | | a lot of spirituality. And it was good fun. |
| the playoff. If he had won it would have made history | | | | |