On this day: July 19, 2009 - Cink upsets Watson in four-hole play-off

Sport360 staff 09:31 19/07/2016
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  • Stewart Cink

    Tom Watson nearly captured his sixth Open Championship and almost became the oldest man to win the title on this day in 2009 at Turnberry, but Stewart Cink was up for the task and slightly better in a classic finish.

    The 59-year-old American, who hadn’t tasted a championship victory in 26 years, sank an eight-foot putt on the final hole of a four-hole play-off to lift the Claret Jug.

    Watson led for a majority of the final three days and had his chance to win on the final hole, but a par tied him with Cink and forced a play-off. After 72 holes of competitive golf, Watson faltered in the play-off and lost to Cink by six shots. The title remains as Cink’s lone major win of his career.

    1903: Maurice Garin, nicknamed ‘the little chimneysweep’, won the inaugural Tour de France.

    1986: Tim Witherspoon KOs Frank Bruno in the 11th round to win the heavyweight boxing title.

    1996: The 26th Olympic Games open in Atlanta, Georgia.

    1999: Brazil outclassed Uruguay 3-0 to lift the Copa America in Asuncion, Paraguay.

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