Stewart Cink Bests Tom Watson in Playoff; Wins First Major at 2009 British Open

Stewart Cink has won his first major championship at the 2009 British Open, in a 4-hole playoff over Tom Watson. Cink earned his first major title, after more than 14 years as a pro golfer, as well as improving to 2-2 in playoffs. Cink shot a 66 in the first round, joining the leaders, before shooting a 72 and a 71 to seemingly drop out of contention. But after shooting a 69 on the final day, Cink was tied for the lead, and took the most of his chance, winning the tourney in a near-flawless playoff. Cink, who has over 500,000 followers on Twitter, becomes the second consecutive player to win their first major title, as Lucas Glover won the 2009 US Open, for his first.

Watson had a chance to win the Open Championship at the 72nd hole, but three-putted for bogey. That forced a playoff between Watson and Stewart Cink, as they were both two under par. Just to get into the playoff, Cink made a long birdie putt on the last hole. It was just the sixth birdie on the 18th hole. In the Open Championship, there is a 4-hole playoff (5th, 6th, 17th, and 18th holes). If there is still a tie after the playoff, they play the 18th hole over and over again, until there is a winner. In the first playoff hole, Cink made par, while Watson made bogey, giving Cink a one stroke lead, with three holes to play. On the second playoff hole, Watson made an amazing par, after having a horrible tee shot. Cink made a par of his own, to preserve his one shot lead. On the third playoff hole, Watson had another bad tee shot, into the tall rough. Watson finished the third hole, making double bogey. Cink had a tap-in birdie, and took a four shot lead going into the final hole. On the final playoff hole, Watson made par and Cink made another birdie after an excellent second shot. Cink played an absolute perfect four-hole playoff and deserved the Claret Jug.

The biggest surprise of the 2009 British Open was the performance of Tom Watson. Watson, at 59 years old, was trying to become the oldest person to ever win a major. He has won five Open Championships throughout his career, but his last major came in 1983. Watson was one shot back on Thursday, after shooting a 65. He had a share of the lead with Steve Marino, after shooting an even par 70, in the second round. Weather conditions were especially tough on Saturday, but Watson shot a 71, to have a one stroke lead over the field. Watson held a one shot lead over Westwood and Cink, after making birdie on the 71st hole but a bogey on the 72nd hole, forced a playoff. It was a heartbreaking loss for Watson in the playoff, after leading the British Open for almost all of the entire tournament, but he should be proud of what he accomplished. Watson finishes in second place.

Tiger Woods, one of the favorites, missed the cut for only the second time at a major in his career. He shot a 71 on Thursday and a 74 on Friday, finishing at +5, one stroke behind the cut line. This was Woods' first time playing at the tough Turnberry course, and Tiger hopes his last.

Two-time defending champion of this event, Padraig Harrington, who was another one of the favorites, started off well in the first round with a 69. But after a 74 and a 76 in the next two rounds, Harrington had no chance of winning. Going into the final day, Harrington was 14 strokes back of the leader, Tom Watson. He finished the final day with a 73, finishing at +12 overall, good for 65th place. Harrington was looking for his fourth major championship.

Lee Westwood, who battled with Watson all day long for the lead, finished tied for third place with a one under par, after a bogey on the 18th hole. Westwood held a share of the lead, late in the day, until a couple of bogeys dashed his chances of winning. Westwood was looking to become the first Englishman to win the Open Championship in 17 years.

Chris Wood, another Englishman, was very impressive in finishing tied for third, in his first year as a golf pro. This was Wood's second consecutive top 5 finish in the Open Championship. Wood improved on his tied for fifth place finish in the 2008 British Open, when he was only an amateur. He has a bright future in his career.

Luke Donald, Retief Goosen, and Mathew Goggin, all finished tied for fifth place at even par. Soren Hansen, Ernie Els, Justin Leonard, Thomas Aiken, and Richard Johnson finished tied for eighth place at one over par.

A great duel between Tom Watson and Stewart Cink capped off another great Sunday at a major, even without the presence of Tiger Woods.