Cink sinks history, and for that he deserves our sympathy
The Cinks of Sugarloaf: Four people who weren't disappointed he won. (Getty Images)
If it’s possible to feel sorry for a guy who just won his first major tournament, I feel sorry for Stewart Cink. Because 10 years from now, maybe 10 days from now, nobody outside Atlanta will recall the 2009 British Open as Cink’s breakthrough. It will forever be the one Old Tom Watson almost won.
And that’s a shame. Facing the onrushing tide of history, what was Cink to do? Jump out of the way and grant the watching world its fervent wish? On ABC, Paul Azinger said afterward: “This would have been the greatest feat in the history of sports,” and a listener’s first thought wasn’t, as is always the case when confronted with such absolutes, to yell, “Heck no!” but “Well … maybe.”
But Stewart Cink didn’t pull a Tonya Harding and club Watson with a mashie. Cink simply played winning golf when Watson’s body remembered that, 46 days hence, it’ll turn 60. Watson missed an eight-foot putt on the 72nd hole and Van de Velded the playoff, and the Georgia Tech man was a six-shot winner over those four holes. And the watching world turned away saddened by what it had witnessed.
Watson’s first words in the press tent: “Would’ve been a hell of a moment, wouldn’t it?”
Yes, it would’ve been a Great Story, and I’ve been around long enough to know what happens when we writers are denied our Great Stories. I remember Rick Reilly, then of Sports Illustrated, ripping the unassuming Scott Simpson for having the gall to win the 1987 U.S. Open over an immortal named Watson who, 22 years ago, was even then in comeback mode. Reilly called Simpson “a square in a groove” and then got really nasty:
“Now Simpson is a decent enough player. But on the thrill scale he ranks just behind Edwin Meese and slightly ahead of a tuna sandwich. Though he had no right to, Simpson ruined Watson’s longed-for coming-home soiree, partly because of an ungodly run of putting and partly because of one ungodly piece of luck.”
And who was sitting there in Scotland on Sunday, serving as ESPN’s “essayist”? The same Rick Reilly. Good luck with this week’s “essay,” Mr. Cink. Perhaps you’ll get upgraded to a BLT.
But the Tech man isn’t without allies. He has 590,000 followers on Twitter — he’s @stewartcink — which is 590,000 more than Watson enjoys. (”I don’t twit or tweet,” Watson told reporters this week.) And maybe his Jacket background helped Cink steel himself for the playoff against the people’s choice. As we know, the Institute is an underdog, at least numerically, in its own state.
Loading ...It’s a tough place to be, one man (plus assorted Tech fans and Twitterers) against the tide of history, but the pride of Sugarloaf did himself proud. He played steadily, was exultant but not excessive in victory and was duly deferential afterward. As he told ABC: ““I have such an admiration for Tom … I was a little reluctant to be pitted against him.” But then this: “I’m elated I won.”
Let’s hope Cink won’t have cause to regret the circumstances of his Open championship. Golf fans tend to love everybody — except J.C. Snead; never understood that — so there shouldn’t be a problem there. Golf scribes, however, are a tougher lot.
Surely more than a few had this one written — “Aging golfer wins one for the ages,” yada yada — and the only thing we writers hate more than a dull winner is rewriting. That sound you heard yesterday from across the pond? The “thwack” of a hundred correspondents hitting the “delete” key in ticked-off tandem.
New headline: “Cink wins, hearts sink.” Not his fault, though. Just the rub of the green.
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70 comments Add your comment
Dear Bark Madley
July 19th, 2009
6:29 pm
Sorry you had to delete your canned article about Watson winning the Open. Probably would have been plagiarized anyway. How long did it take you to write this junk? 5 minutes? Way to go stud. Dont play down Cink’s win. He deserved it. And if it ruined your day, good! You deserve it.
Billy
July 19th, 2009
6:40 pm
Jeez… People like DBM make me sad to be a Tech fan. Dude, regardless of what you think, Mark Bradley isn’t a Dawg fan. I’ve followed the guy for 20 years. He’s never seemed anything other than evenhanded. I actually got the feeling that he actually feels sorry for Cink because he won’t get his due.
Stewart Cink » Prime News Network
July 19th, 2009
6:41 pm
[...] It goes back eight years when … No regrets for Cink after spoiling fairytale Reuters Cink sinks history, and for that he deserves our sympathy Atlanta Journal Constitution Cink’s climb to the top Yahoo! Sports Bloomberg – [...]
Mark Bradley
July 19th, 2009
6:43 pm
Thanks, Billy. You’ve been placed on retainer as my defense counsel.
jhcpeterson
July 19th, 2009
6:46 pm
methinks the comments above were written after they got hit in the head with a golf club? that was a wonderful, strategic show of golf..worth every penny i didn’t have to spend..what a game!
Steve
July 19th, 2009
6:47 pm
Stewart Sink is a piece of garbage. Met him at a party next to my bosses house after the golf tourney at Sugarloaf and he was a complete jerk. One of my good friends was in his wedding and he still blew me off when I tried to talk to him. What a total piece of Sh**.
2HLLWGA
July 19th, 2009
6:47 pm
Very happy for Cink – makes Tech fans happy and proud. I hope ESPN doesn’t do to Cink what they did to Simpson. Interesting bit of history – Looks like history does repeat itself (for Watson).
Rabun Dawg
July 19th, 2009
6:52 pm
Congrats to Stewart! Yea, being older than Watson, I, like many my age were pulling for Tom as he may never have that chance again.However, Cink appears to be one of the really good guys out there, and we should all be proud of him, especially since he attended GT and lives in the area. Hey, what was he supposed to do, roll over and play to sentiment? Seems to me he was the better player this day and deserved the win!
B.More Accurate
July 19th, 2009
6:52 pm
It’s not just “The Institute.” It’s “The Insect Institute!”
twoiron
July 19th, 2009
6:54 pm
Mark, did you ever meet J C Snead? The most rudest and arrogant human I have ever met. And I have been around him at least 10 times.
misterwax
July 19th, 2009
6:54 pm
well, these comments run the gamut…so let’s just say Go Jackets, BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!
Didn't know
July 19th, 2009
7:02 pm
Didn’t know Cink was a jacket but I have never cared for him. Always comes off as cocky to me. No surprise to now find out he is a jacket. The only reason he is a champ is that Watson choked…should have never had the opportunity. He was standing on the 18th fairway with a one shot lead. Put it in the middle of the green, two putt and win!
Mark Bradley
July 19th, 2009
7:03 pm
I remember standing with the late Tom McCollister, my esteemed AJC colleague, at a golf tournament, and I asked him: “Is there anyone golf crowds don’t like?” And he said: “J.C. Snead — nobody likes J.C. Snead.”
And I’d heard he was arrogant. But I’ve met a few golfers who seemed very popular that I would have considered arrogant. (Then again, they probably thought I was arrogant. And they’d have been right.)
"Chef" Tim Dix
July 19th, 2009
7:07 pm
Just heard the “Trade School” tickle pile was such a “suck-cess” that the bonfire had to be cancelled becuase the particpants book matches got wet.
A proud Dawg says, “Way to go Cink.”
Bob Horner had a sweet compact swing
July 19th, 2009
7:07 pm
Good post Rabun Dawg….BUT…I still wish Tom had made that put on 18 to win….don’t you..??
mike lump
July 19th, 2009
7:09 pm
Yes, Cink ruined one of the greatest stories in sport history but on the bright side at least the rest of the world hates Tech now too.
Dawggone-it
July 19th, 2009
7:14 pm
Paul Azinger said it best. “This win would not have changed Tom Watson’s life but it will change Stewart Cink’s.” Congratulations even if he is a “dirt dauber.”
BugKiller
July 19th, 2009
7:25 pm
Let’s give Cink three rounds of the only cheer he deserves: the Bronx variety.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
YOU SUCK!!!
Old Snarky
July 19th, 2009
7:53 pm
Get over it people. Mr Cink is a Gentleman and a Scholar. He has a great family and he deserves this win.. I was really happy for him. Tom Watson is ok too BUT this was Stewarts day so let him and his family enjoy the spoils. THEY deserve it.
Billy
July 19th, 2009
7:58 pm
Nice to see the dawg fans come out to try to make light of Cink’s win. Lot’s of class there. At least 90% of the dawg posters…
Billy
July 19th, 2009
7:59 pm
oops. just so the “academic-minded” fans don’t jump all over me… I meant “Lots”, not “lot’s”…
Shane
July 19th, 2009
8:07 pm
Leave to a tech guy to ruin the party.
Chris
July 19th, 2009
8:09 pm
Don’t you just know the guys at ABC were spewing when Tiger missed the cut? No way they could have guessed what a magic tournament it would be and the numbers they’d still enjoy.
Were the repeated commercials for Cialis and Levitra just a coincidence?
It was gripping drama. The only real disappointment to me was the way he struck the putt to win the championship. The tepid effort spoke volumes about his anxiety.
Good for Cink. It will make a world of difference to his career.
Shane
July 19th, 2009
8:10 pm
Tom Watson was the story dummies. In 2 years no one will even remember Cinks name
Billy
July 19th, 2009
8:15 pm
and in 10 years, no one will remember that Watson did this. People who try to downplay Cink’s efforts are really sad. And in GA, it means that they hate him because he’s a Techie
BugKiller
July 19th, 2009
8:23 pm
No, Billy, those who follow golf will NEVER forget Tom Watson.
I’ve already forgotten Stew Cink, and it has nothing to do with him being a bug.
Sometimes, the gripping story doesn’t end with a happy ending. That’s life.
But you are a seriously delusional bug if you believe most people will forget what Tom Watson accomplished this past week.
Cink will never be the story and will be forgotten. Yeah, it sucks for him, but there’s a reason why he’s not a Woods, Mickelson, or a Harrington.
woodie
July 19th, 2009
8:24 pm
I wanted Watson to win but at least a local who played at Georgia Tech took the tournament. I’m happy for both guys.
Billy
July 19th, 2009
8:39 pm
Hey, BugKiller, I’m a golf fan, too. People who are REAL fans of golf (i.e. not Tiger Woods fans) will remember that Cink won the Open. People who watch because they love a certain person will only remember the Watson story. Hell, I’m a Cink fan, and I had forgotten how long it had been since he choked in the US Open. I love Tom Watson as a player, but I’m extremely excited that one of the good guys won today. This should go beyond football loyalties…
BugKiller
July 19th, 2009
8:43 pm
Billy, you’re a moron.
Who won the 1996 Masters?
Oh, that’s right, no one remembers. But we do remember Greg Norman losing an insurmountable lead and losing The Masters.
Norman LOST The Masters. No one won it that year.
Tom Watson LOST The Open this year.
No one won it.
That is what people will remember.
Don’t be a bug homer douche.
79
July 19th, 2009
8:45 pm
Steve,
I have no idea if Stewart Cink is a nice guy or if he is, as you say, a “piece of sh**”….but I don’t believe that you do either…even if he “totally blew you off” at the big post-tournament party at your “bosses” house….. this after you told him about your sister’s 3rd grade teacher’s son being in his wedding and all…
Billy
July 19th, 2009
8:49 pm
Wow. You really got me there, buddy. I guess I’m a moron AND a douche. You obviously have a master’s experience with the English language. I’m in awe of your intellect. I was trying to be polite, but you managed to turn it into something else. And the “bug” part shows that you don’t REALLY care about Tom Watson or golf as much as you care about trying to tear down GT. Get a life, buddy. Tom Watson is a great champion. He played a mediocre round today. Stewart Cink made the putts that needed to be made. If you REALLY care about golf, you would acknowledge that. Heck, he had 4 holes to beat Cink in the playoff…
Billy
July 19th, 2009
8:56 pm
Gotta love the AJC blogs. Lots of idiots trashing each other. And that goes for UGA AND GT fans. Seriously, people. Get a life. The best football in the country is in Texas, and I don’t even see this stupidity between UT/A&M/Texas Tech.
Phil McCrotch
July 19th, 2009
9:04 pm
Steve, sounds like a you problem.
Reid Adair
July 19th, 2009
9:13 pm
Mark, it was an amazing day for golf fans. And when you throw out the vast majority of the comments above that have little (if anything) to do with the subject of your post, I think most true golf fans will admit they are happy for Stewart Cink.
Would I have liked to see Tom Watson win? Yes, but he didn’t. Personally, I thought it was over when he birdied 17 and Lee Westwood bogied 18 – but I was wrong.
Cink did what he had to do to give himself a chance, and Watson’s missed 8-foot putt gave Cink that chance. From that point on, it was Cink. He was 2-under for the four playoff holes. Even withotu the disaster on the third playoff hole, I’m not sure Watson could have matched that.
GT Alum
July 19th, 2009
9:30 pm
I went to Tech and played football while Cink was on the golf team. He was as nice of a guy as you’d ever meet. Steve- you must have been the problem at “the party.” He was the best player to not win a major until today. Go Jackets!
Bank Walker
July 19th, 2009
9:40 pm
sounds like Steve is a broken hearted, jock sniffer.
Dr Henry / Augusta
July 19th, 2009
9:41 pm
Good column Mark! Esp. when you called out R. Reilly…Only way to look at this tho is that Watson made some poor decisions and poor shots on 18…When his third shot went 8 ft past there was no doubt of there being a playoff….Also there was no doubt that Watson would have no chance over 4 holes…Maybe in 1 hole of sudden death he could have bested Cink but not four because his confidence was kapooey!!! I didnt even watch the playoff….Didnt realize he lost so badly until reading it online just now….At least the Braves are winning!!!
Mark Bradley
July 19th, 2009
10:08 pm
I thought Watson was going to win when Westwood blew up. But there’s many a slip twixt the cup and the lip, as it were.
Boss Hogg
July 19th, 2009
10:32 pm
Typical UGA fans, with the exception of Rabun Dawg, to be jealous of a Tech guy winning. When has a UGA golfer ever done anything, much less win a major? It proves you can have compelling golf without Eldrick playing.
NRBQ
July 19th, 2009
11:38 pm
Actually, Mark, Watson’s first words were, “Hey, this isn’t a funeral.”
Reilly is a top-grade doosh.
rlinaug
July 19th, 2009
11:39 pm
Rick Reilly is the most successful hack in the history of sports journalism. His attempts to crystallize the moment always always always fall short. He resorts to insults because his insight is lacking. He proves over and over that he not only lacks talent but also class. Sorry for the rant, Mark. His little essay immediately following the tournament today was gracious enough, but Paul Azinger and Curtis Strange came closer to nailing the moment than Riley. If the ESPN site had some e-mail address where folks could submit complaints, I’d have sent this little missive to them instead of here.
Again, great work.
PMC
July 19th, 2009
11:40 pm
As likeable as Stewart Cink is, I think he absolutely will be treated as a true major champion that he now is. I’d not be surprised if he parlayed it into another one.
I can’t help but feel disapointed though. I’d loved to have seen Watson get his 9th major and 6th Open Championship. He played incredibly all week only to lose it on essentially nerves with that last putt on 18.
It’s just mostly unfortunate that it lacks the punch of the dual in the sun because Watson fell apart and either the nerves or the age got to him. If anything can be said in this wake it’s that Stewart Cink is not going to be intimidated by the stage and nerves will not sway him from a major title.
He’s been in the hunt the last couple of years and now he made good on it. Cink has clearly put himself above that pack of players who “should be good enough” to win a major and has affirmed it. It’s mostly disapointing that Stewart Cink came on late and didn’t get more TV time before the playoff really.
Not Disappointed
July 20th, 2009
12:06 am
Congrats Dude and your family! Go Jackets!!!!!
wattzy
July 20th, 2009
12:15 am
Stop!! Georgia Tech had nothing to do with what Cink did today.. I am the chef at Sugarloaf and I love that guy. He is always traveling and his family will come in and they are just really good people.. So is Mr. Cink. When he comes back into town, you should see the smiles on his kid’s face’s. I was rooting for Tom, but Mr. Cink won a good one today.. I have been through the last 6 tourneys at the Loaf and we were all rooting for him. He didn’t have much luck. This is coming from the biggest DAWG fan you will ever meet.
grahzny bratchny
July 20th, 2009
12:26 am
UGA fan here – I was pulling for Cink because he is from the area. Golf is an individual sport, the fact the he went to Tech is of little consequence – never hear much love for Duval… Cink seems to have been working for this for a while and deserved to win. Maybe Watson choked, perhaps he forgot what it takes to win a major. Not likely.
It’s not like Cink is on the Tech baseball or basketball team, he has finally learned how to win…
Congratulations Stewaret! Tech sucks – you don’t.
wattzy
July 20th, 2009
12:42 am
Thanks brother.. We get to play as employees on mondays.. There was one time when we came down the green right in front of his house and he was sitting out on the green putting. Mr. Cink did not expect us to come up at all.. We yelled out move we are hitting. When we drove up on the cart we saw who it was. I was shocked. He said he was having some problems and this is what he does to get away.. From then on, I was a fan
JASon
July 20th, 2009
2:05 am
It was great to see the old golfer crap the bed on espn. What a brutally scum organization.
Ted Striker
July 20th, 2009
6:05 am
My Stewart Cink story:
I remember seeing Stewart Cink at one of his early Masters, maybe his first as a pro. Cink had reached the green with an approach and was walking up to check out the lie of the ball for his putt. As he’s walking by, the woman standing next to me yells out toward him — “Stewart!!! Stewart!!!!” So he looks over at her and she beckons him over. He leans in next to her and she whispers “I forgot my purse…I need money for something to drink.”
Cink looks at her and says “Honey, this is the Masters. I’m kinda busy.” Then he fumbles around in a pocket but has no wallet or cash. I was getting ready to give her some money — a man should be able to putt in the Masters without worrying about whether his wife is thirsty — but his caddy pulled out his wallet and handed her a $20. Cink nailed the putt and everyone was happy.
MrDan
July 20th, 2009
7:33 am
Stewart Cink won because it was his time to win. Tom Watson hung in there because of experience. No one in the game has played links better than him. You’re right, it would have been a great story-and it was. But all of this kind of reminds me of Andy Rooney saying Cal Ripken Jr. should “sit out a game” so Lou Gehrig’s name should stay on the record for most consecutive games played. I’m sure Ripken was thinking ‘yeah, right’ after playing 2,631 consectutive mlb games. Just as Stewart was thinking about all the years of practice and competing and believing he had what it takes to win a major. Congratulations to you Stewart. It was your time and may you do so again. And thank you Tom Watson. I’m sure there’s thousands of old boys like me who will hit the course this week thinking we too can play this game again.
dd
July 20th, 2009
7:34 am
none of this matters; tech still has ugly women
ABC was awful
July 20th, 2009
7:46 am
ABC did a dreadful job of coverage in my opinion. Cink was rarely shown, same as Boo Weekley, even though scorewise they were close, so the sense is that he came from nowhere to win. Because of that, as Bradley says, this will be remembered as the one that Watson almost won. I saw Cink hit maybe five shots before the playoff. Thanks ABC.
Dan
July 20th, 2009
8:28 am
It was pretty cool to watch the last couple of hours yesterdy and it just emphasizes how great a game golf is. Game not sport game. Please don’t ever give any golfer “Athlete” of the year again EVER! Please a sixty year old almost wins the most prestegious event??? (lets not forget Norman had the lead on sunday last year and his wife who actually played an athletic sport has been retired for 20 years!)
Golf takes great skill and concentration but it is hardly an athletic contest (and don’t get me started on NASCAR which has 50 year olds winning as well)
Jim
July 20th, 2009
8:39 am
To the guy that said Cink is garbage. I had the same experience with Paul Azinger. I met him at CHURCH in Tallahassee, FL, introduced by his sister-in-law. He was a total jerk. Was a big fan,now I hate the guy. He also sucks as a golf commentator.
Producer
July 20th, 2009
9:16 am
Watson could have been the best sports story of 2009. Even better than Federer winning the Career Grand Slam. I’m sorry he couldn’t get it done. Cink? He will be the Gerald Ford Ford of the British Open, the Accidental Champion. No one will ever confuse the greatness of Tom Watson with the whopping six career PGA tour titles that Cink has. It’s like comparing Secretariat with Mr. Ed.
Ailsa Craig
July 20th, 2009
9:20 am
Tom Watson – according to a Brit writer this morning – wasn’t the champion golfer of the year but he will be remembered as the champion man. All hail Stewie, he won with class. We’ll remember Watson, however, for his dignity throughout and his serenity in defeat. I agree with all the Reilly-bashers here and elsewhere but he made a good point – comparing Watson with Woods and Tiger’s club-slamming, profane tantrums. The media sycophants will say that “Tiger wants it so much.” Lee Westwood wants it, but he didn’t slam his club when he hit in the bunker on 18. No one else gets away with Tiger’s nonsense. He’s the best but not the best example. Watson reminded the short-attention span sports world that golf was played before the 97 Masters. Good column Mark.
Sting 'em Buzz
July 20th, 2009
9:35 am
Yesterday was the first time I had ever watched golf. I started out saying I was pulling for Watson and Cink. Unreal that it came down to the two of them. I don’t think it was possible for Cink to have played bad enough for Watson to win the playoff.
Ben Hogan
July 20th, 2009
9:40 am
There’s a reason it is called a championship – you have to WIN it!
As a fellow geezer, I was pullin’s strong for Tom. But he will be the first to tell you – it has to be won; it is not a gift.
Tom had done the hard work. All he needed was a par on 18 to cinch it. But the yips got him on the 8-footer. As a fellow golfer, I know how cruel this game can be. Somewherre in its cruelty is its beauty. I am sure deep down that Tom regrets getting so close and letting everyone down.
And Steve: Go back to your trailer and watch NASCAR.
ABC was AWFUL Part II
July 20th, 2009
9:54 am
You would have thought Cink didn’t make the cut with as little as he was seen Sunday until they showed his birdie put at 18. It was clear that ABC/ESPN really pooped the bed after Tiger was out it and they had no plan B. They simply replaced the usual continuous Tiger coverage with Watson, but didn’t broadcast the Open as a competitive tournament that was being played. And why did they keep showing Chris Wood, when Cink was matching him stroke for stroke thoughout the day?
They only way ABC redeemed itself was at the end when Reilly said “Thanks Tom, for showing us what golf was like before the Tiger Woods era. Its a Gentleman’s game”. Then they showed one of Tiger’s many tantrums, slamming his club in to the tee box like a spoiled 12 year old.
Mark Bradley
July 20th, 2009
10:03 am
Regarding ABC/ESPN: As much fun as it is to rip TV for its coverage, I’m not sure the American networks have control over what’s shown during the British Open. I know the BBC used to provide the “pool feed” of the actual golf. Not sure whether that’s still the case, but I’m guessing, in this era of cost-cutting, it is.
ThaMan
July 20th, 2009
10:24 am
Steve – you might stink. You are a crybaby for sure.
ThaMan
July 20th, 2009
10:36 am
wattzy – it is not possible to be a chef and a dawg fan. You are a hash slinger/burger flipper.
Spud Webb
July 20th, 2009
10:43 am
Reilly is an &ss and I cannot stand his pieces on ESPN. That voice is top 5 annoying.
Straight Cash Homie!
July 20th, 2009
10:59 am
Bradley is correct. The feed was from the BBC and ESPN/ABC had no control over who was being covered….might explain why Wood (English) was receiving so much face time on Sunday.
That is also the reason why it was not broadcast in true HD either. Stupid BBC….
At least Cink won it if Watson didn’t. It would have been worse if Westwood won it.
Spud Webb
July 20th, 2009
11:00 am
79, that 8:45 post was helarious. hahahaha, classic.
Monday Morning Links « Danimal’s Den
July 20th, 2009
11:52 am
[...] to. Plenty of commenters already, while the family and fans back in Georgia are quite proud too. As Mark Bradley indicates, hopefully we will all appreciate Cink’s accomplishment eventually, rather than just dwell on [...]
Lloyd
July 20th, 2009
1:31 pm
Stewart, Lisa and the boys have been friends and neighbors for 7 years. Class act, regular people. Sorry for all those who don’t really know him.. He’s the same guy at Frontera on a Monday night that he was last week showing his family the UK. (Instead of warming up) We’ll all be drinkng from the Claret jug in the coming days.. He is today, a “State of Georgia” icon.
All I'm Saying Is...
July 20th, 2009
1:44 pm
Bug Killer: Nick Faldo won the 1996 Masters and any student of golf knows that. While you are partially right in that its clear that Norman blew a six stroke lead, Faldo shot a 66 to seize the opportunity. Faldo did not back his way into a victory—he went out and shot a low score and took the prize that came his way.
Watson did not blow a six shot lead so Cink will definitely be remembered (just as Angel Cabrera is remembered for winning the Masters this year in a playoff and not just because Kenny Perry choked away a two stroke lead with two holes to play).
Cink sinks history, and for that he deserves our sympathy | Mark ... | Museum And Art
July 20th, 2009
2:24 pm
[...] here to see the original: Cink sinks history, and for that he deserves our sympathy | Mark … Connect and [...]
Hillbilly Deluxe
July 20th, 2009
7:24 pm
I’m not a golf fan but Tom Watson played very well and good for him. Stewart Cink played better when it counted and good for him. Somebody has to win and somebody has to lose. C’est la vie.
Bob Smith
July 23rd, 2009
1:12 pm
Stewart Cink epitomizes the very same, evil, corporate-greed-above-all-else mentality that the PGA’s sponsors display during golf’s TV commercials (many of which are paid for by your evaporating 401K’s – and your tax dollars, via “bailouts”)…the right thing to do is never what’s done, not ever, not when it comes to money and corporate control…had Cink lost to Watson, the sport would have received a shot in the arm that would have elevated its stature around the world to unfathomable heights…the entire game of golf would have benefited enormously, if Cink had done the right thing and shanked a couple of shots into the spinach…tens of millions of golf fans would have felt rejunvenated, alive again (most of them older people)…it would have been the sports story of the century…the greatest story in the history of the game of golf…but no, Stewart “I Love Ronald Reagan” Cink had to bash Watson’s dreams, and crush the impending elation of all the golf fans who were hanging on every stroke of that tournament…instead of thinking about the big picture, instead of realizing what Watson’s win would have done for the sport that had paid Cink so handsomely over the years, instead of thinking about how millions of people would be crushed if Watson lost, Cink just went ahead and displayed the type of selfish me-me-meism that we see everywhere in the Western world these days…what a dolt…the only reason he made the playoff was because he slopped in a birdie putt on the 72nd hole and Watson missed that eight-footer on the 72nd hole…Cink was there via pure luck…he was not the better player…and the right thing to do, no matter what anybody says, would have been to let Watson, and the sport, and the tens of millions of fans who were rooting for Tom, have their day in the sun…Cink will go down in history as a villain…if I ever see him in public, I will say, “Hey, what’s it like beating up on an old man in a playoff that you were lucky to be in, and crushing the dreams of millions of people…was it good for you?”