GLASGOW (RPRN) 7/20/2009–American Stuart Cink has emerged from a playoff to win his first major golf title, capturing the British Open in Turnberry, Scotland.
Cink and veteran compatriot Tom Watson were tied at two-under-par 268 at the end of regulation play Sunday. A four-hole aggregate playoff was set up when Cink made a dramatic birdie (one under par on a hole) putt on the 18th hole. Watson’s potentially winning putt rolled past the cup for a bogey (one over par on a hole). His consistent play then faded in the playoff, mired in bunkers and tall grass.
Watson stirred emotions of long-time golf fans by staying near or at the top of the leaderboard from the start. At age 59, the five-time British Open champion was trying to become the oldest player to win a major.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.