Stuart Cink
Factfile
Born
1973 - Huntsville Alabama
Turned Pro
1995
Career Victories
13 (one major)
Ryder Cup
Four appearances
Presidents Cup
Four appearances
The 2009 Open champion Stewart Cink was delighted to claim his first Major success at Turnberry, but there’s another Scottish course which holds a special place in his heart. He is in no doubt when asked about the venues he most enjoys playing.
The 37-year-old said: “St Andrews is absolutely my favourite place to play. I loved it the moment I set eyes on it. I’ve never been one of those players who don’t get it. I love The Old Course at St Andrews because it’s never the same course two days in a row. When they set that course up with the tees back and the pins left, it’s such a strategic challenge because you just can’t play safe to the left side and get a terrible angle into the pin. You’ve got to hit it to the right and then all the bunkers come into play.
“The first time I played the Old Course was at the Open Championship in 2000 and I finished tied 41st. Then I missed the cut at the 2005 Open. I’ve never played well there,” he smiled.
“But I love it. It’s a living, breathing golf museum. I would love to go back when it’s quieter. When the Open was at Muirfield in 2002, I missed the cut at the Scottish Open the week before and so I took my parents across to St Andrews and we all played the Old Course.
“Obviously I will always love Turnberry now, too. The hotel staff moved all my stuff into the new Stewart Cink Suite in June. That was one of the coolest things. It’s funny, I know in my heart that I’ve got the Claret Jug and won the British Open but it’s the last Major I ever thought I would win because links golf really doesn’t suit my game. I hit the ball high, the American way.
“But I love links golf. Always have. I prepared for the 2009 Open by playing at Doonbeg, Lahinch and Ballybunion. They are amazing places.”
Alabama-born Cink, the world number 30 at the time he played in this year’s US Open at Pebble Beach, also holds that particular course in high regard.
“If St Andrews is the Home of Golf, Pebble Beach feels like the Home of American Golf,” he added.
“I know other places probably disagree – like Pinehurst would probably lay claim to that. But Pebble Beach feels like the home of championship golf. It has a real sense of history.
“The course has been relatively unchanged and its character remains the same. It just feels right. And they’ve enhanced the holes where the ocean comes into play, too.
