In a thrilling finish at the Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club, Stewart Cink successfully defended his title at The Ally Championship, edging out Ernie Els in a closely contested playoff. This victory is another testament to Cink’s continued excellence in the sport. He most recently won the Insperity Invitational in Texas, restoring his extraordinary talents on full display.
Cink began the last round one shot back of Els. Els had a big enough lead with a three-day total of 15-under 201. Cink came hunting, finishing the week with a 4-under 68 to lap the field. He closed with consecutive birdies on two of his last three holes, just the kind of killer instinct under pressure that wins championships. This brilliant conclusion was enough for him to catch Els and force a nail-biting playoff situation.
Els, who boasts eight PGA Tour victories and is a golfer of consummate experience, seized his chance. He is best remembered for his stunning win at the 2009 Open Championship, right. He was 6-under through 13 holes, carding a final round of 69 but parring the last five holes — a decision that cost him the title.
The good news is that the competition was deep – other players were gaining ground significantly. Steven Alker, Cameron Percy, and Soren Kjeldsen all tied for third place at 12 under, showcasing their competitive spirit and skill on the course. Retief Goosen and Thongchai Jaidee tied at 11 under. Their exemplary performance only serves to further demonstrate the depth of talent at this year’s championship.
It was earlier in the tournament that Cink announced his presence, firing a ridiculous 62 on Thursday. This performance definitely colored his week going in a very positive and vibrant direction. On Friday, he made some early mistakes and shot a 71. Still, he kept his head up and was hell bent on winning back his title from last year.
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