Sunday, July 19, 2009

Cink Wins British Open over Watson in playoff

Through 71 3/4 holes, Tom Watson had the 138th British Open championship within his grasp. All he needed to do was hole an 8 foot par putt at #18 to finish off his miraculous weekend. But it just wasn't meant to be. Watson, who at 59 (that's not a typo, fifty-nine!) was trying to become the oldest golfer to win a major, missed the putt, forcing a playoff with fellow American Stewart Cink at -2, who had birdied #18 earlier. In the 4-hole aggregate playoff, Watson looked like he ran out of steam and bogeyed #5, while Cink made par easily. Next at #6, Watson made an amazing par save after his tee shot at the par 3 went well right of the green. But at #17, it all unraveled as Watson's tee shot found the deep rough down the left side and he could not recover. Cink ended winning the playoff by six shots, and wrapping up his first major championship. "I grew up watching Tom Watson play on TV and hoping one day maybe I could follow in his footsteps at the Open Championship. He's turned back the clock and I've just been feeling so many different things. I just feel so happy to be a part of it, let alone win."

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