A villain for a champ

For spoiling the ending of a script that could go down in history as the greatest story in golf, Stewart Cink became a villain for fans.

At least at this year’s British Open.

What exactly did Cink do to earn the dislike of the crowd at Turnberry, Scotland last Monday? He beat 59-year-old Tom Watson in four-hole playoffs to bag the 2009 British Open title.

While fans are putting the villain tag on Cink, it was Watson who squandered his chance to become the oldest winner of the British Open. He had won five times before, including a classic duel with Jack Nicklaus in the famous “Duel in the Sun” in 1977.

In that duel, Watson trailed Nicklaus in the final round but managed to tie the count after making an incredible 60-foot putt from the 15th hole. The shot unnerved the usually steady Nicklaus allowing Watson to pile up the margin on the 17th hole.

Watson was impeccable going into the last round at Turnberry this year. His 59-year-old nerves, however, were showing signs of unsteadiness as he started the day. He stumbled, made mistakes and let his pursuers catch up with him, including Cink.

This time Watson couldn’t hit the shots. There won’t be a repeat of that 1977 triumph. In the playoffs, the tired Watson missed an 8-foot putt, while Cink had two pars and two birdies.

For his effort, Cink the winner received a modest applause from the gallery. Watson on the other hand, had the gallery bursting into a thunderous applause.

The press had prepped up the audience for a historic finish by Watson, perhaps comparable to that 1913 US Open triumph by a 20-year-old amateur Francis Ouimet over professional English golfers Harry Vardon and Ted Ray. (Ouimet’s exploits became the basis of the movie titled “The Greatest Game Ever Played” starring Shia LaBeouf of the Transformers.)

One golf writer even wrote that July 19 would be the greatest day in golf history in anticipation for a Watson victory. It was not meant to be.

I don’t know if a 2009 Watson win could rival that 1913 Ouimet’s feat; but Cink made sure he will get the claret jug not Watson.

He said after the win that he had mixed emotions playing Watson because he has been watching him the last few days. He said, however, that the course was so difficult that “someone will lose the tournament with mistakes.” Watson did.

How difficult was the course?

It was difficult enough that Tiger Woods missed the cut in the tournament, for only the second time in his career.

Cink was the unlikely champion going into the last round. He has won six tournaments but never a major. A few months before the Open he contracted what he felt was Swine Flu! His game was rutting but then he turned it around during the British Open.

I understand why fans would rather want Watson’s name on the claret jug. But I have to give this one to Cink. If I were on his shoes, I would have done the same – take advantage of an opportunity because it only comes your way once.

“It can’t get more satisfying than this,” Cink said after the win. I have to agree with him, applause or no applause from the gallery.

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