Stewart Cink defended his Ally Challenge title Sunday, capturing his second PGA Tour Champions victory this year by beating Ernie Els with a par on the first playoff hole at Warwick Hills.
Cink closed with a 4-under 68, making crucial birdies on two of his final three holes to match Els at 15-under 201. Els posted a final-round 69, parring his last five holes to force the playoff.
“I’m not sure if it adds or subtracts years off your life because it’s pretty stressful,” Cink said. “But if you’re the one that wins, if you’re on that side of the stick on this thing, then it feels great. It was a lot of fun. I putted great down the stretch. Ernie wasn’t doing anything wrong and he was just in the wrong place today.”
The 52-year-old has now won twice on the Champions Tour this season, having also claimed the Insperity Invitational in May where he defeated Retief Goosen in a playoff. Cink’s resume includes eight PGA Tour victories, highlighted by his 2009 Open Championship triumph.
Cink started the tournament with a blistering 62 before cooling off with a 71 in the second round, entering Sunday one stroke behind Els.
Steven Alker fired a final-round 65 to finish in a tie for third at 12 under with Cameron Percy (70) and Soren Kjeldsen (70). Goosen (71) and Thongchai Jaidee (69) shared sixth place at 11 under.
