Stewart Cink made a significant statement at the Senior PGA Championship, setting a course record with an impressive final round of 63. This remarkable performance allowed him to claim the title by a commanding six strokes at the Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida, on Sunday.
At 52 years old, Cink has quickly established himself on the PGA Tour Champions since joining less than two years ago, already notching six victories, including two this year. His success at the Senior PGA marks his first major win in this division, concluding the tournament with a total score of 19-under-par 269.
Reflecting on his achievement, Cink expressed the significance of winning a major title. "It means a lot," Cink said. "Obviously the game we play, your year is kind of broken down into the main events and then the major events. They’re all important, don’t get me wrong, but the majors just have a little bit more history behind them. There’s more rounds. The golf courses are usually set up a little bit more testing and exacting, like Concession. Then there’s more players. You know, simply there’s just more players you have to beat. It means a lot to me to be attached to a trophy like this."
Cink's journey through the tournament included steady rounds of 69, 67, and 70 in the initial three days, positioning him one shot behind 54-hole leader Keith Horne from South Africa at the start of the final round. After securing his first birdie at the par-3 fourth hole, Cink surged ahead with an eagle and two additional birdies from holes seven to nine, marking a pivotal moment in his round.
He continued to perform strongly on the back nine, tallying four more birdies without dropping a single stroke. His final birdie came at the par-5 17th hole, followed by a par at the 18th to solidify his record-setting round, surpassing the previous best of 64 set by Bryson DeChambeau and Collin Morikawa during the 2021 PGA Tour’s Workday Championship held at Concession.
Cink recognized the challenges presented by the course, acknowledging its well-deserved reputation: "There’s never been a day at Concession that is not difficult," he shared. "It’s a hard golf course. I think the nickname is well-known out there. I don’t need to say it. It’s been a pleasure being here. I felt like I played pretty well every day. My tee-to-green game was pretty similar every day. Today I just had a little bit better rhythm in my putting, and the ball just found the hole."
Behind Cink, Ben Crane finished in second place, carding a 68 to finish at 13 under. This marked Crane's first foray into a senior major, and he expressed his delight despite the significant gap between him and the champion. "Man, it couldn’t have been more rewarding, encouraging, fun," Crane remarked. "I didn’t know Stewart was that far ahead. I thought I was in it, and then I signed my scorecard and I’m like, ‘Oh, I got beat by a mile.’ But we’re in second, so that was good."
Tying for third place at 11 under par were Australians Scott Hend and Steve Allan, both recording rounds of 71. Horne, who faltered on the back nine with three bogeys and a double bogey, slipped down the leaderboard to finish tied for fifth at 8 under.
Cink's remarkable performance at the Senior PGA Championship not only showcased his skill but also highlighted the competitive spirit present on the PGA Tour Champions. With more events ahead, golf enthusiasts can look forward to seeing how Cink, along with other competitors, will fare at future tournaments, including the Senior PGA's return to Concession in 2027 and 2028.
