Turnberry (Scotland), July 20 (DPA) Stewart Cink defeated fellow American Tom Watson in a play-off Sunday to win the 138th British Open at Turnberry.
Both players finished tied on 2-under after 72 holes but Cink proved far the stronger over the four play-off holes to win the first major of his career.
Watson came close though, missing a four-metre putt on the last for par that would have seen the 59-year-old card a 72 and win the Claret Jug for a sixth time.
Cink, meanwhile, sank a long-range putt for birdie on the same hole to register a 69 and set up a two-man battle with Watson over 5, 6, 17 and 18.
Despite the full backing of a partisan crowd at the Ayrshire course, the extra holes took their toll on Watson as Cink, who has recorded only two top-10 finishes this year, eased to victory.
Although both players sent their second shots into bunkers on the opening par-4 fifth play-off hole, the world number 33 managed to salvage a par to go one shot clear as Watson’s long-range par putt came up short.
Watson found himself in further bother on the par-3 sixth, as he sent his tee-shot wide right, leaving a difficult pitch, while Cink got a fortunate bounce off a bank to send his ball to the centre of the green.
Cink managed to get down safely in two to register a second straight par while Watson produced a fantastic up and down to remain just one shot behind the 36-year-old.
Watson’s challenge collapsed on the par-5 17th, however, as he carded a double-bogey 7 and Cink scored a birdie. The veteran fared no better on 18, eventually losing the play-off by a disappointing six shots.
Italian teenager Matteo Manassero secured the silver medal awarded to the leading amateur after the 16-year-old ended with a round of 69 for a total of 2-over.
rounak