Sink Opening Match Victory "After 11 Years~"... Kim Siwoo 44th Place

PGA Tour 2020/2021 Season Opener Safeway Open Final Day 7-Under Par '2-Stroke Victory'

Stewart Cink (left) is sharing his joy with his son, who served as his caddie, immediately after winning the Safeway Open. Napa, California, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "After 11 years."

The 47-year-old veteran Stewart Cink (USA) won the Safeway Open (total prize money $6.6 million), the opening event of the 2020/2021 PGA Tour season. On the final day held on the 14th (Korean time) at Silverado Golf Course in Napa, California (par 72, 7,166 yards), he surged with a 7-under-par round to achieve a 2-stroke come-from-behind victory (21-under-par 267). This marks his 7th career win, following The Open in July 2009, with a winner's prize of $1,188,000 (1.4 billion KRW).

During The Open, Cink made a dramatic birdie on the final 18th hole (par 4) to tie with Tom Watson (USA), and after a 4-hole playoff battle, he claimed the title. It is interesting that Watson’s 'sixtieth birthday fighting spirit' drew the spotlight, somewhat relegating Cink to a 'supporting role.' Watson started with a 1-stroke lead, challenging the record for the oldest winner in The Open in 142 years. The record for the oldest winner in the four major championships was also at stake.

It is also surprising that Cink had no wins since then. However, on this day, he displayed brilliant performance with 8 birdies (1 bogey). The victory was even more meaningful as his 23-year-old son caddied for him. "My son led me on the course saying, 'Dad, you’re wrong, trust me,'" he cheered, adding, "I’m proud that he has the guts to do that rather than just reading the greens well." The two-year PGA Tour card and next year’s Masters entry ticket among various rewards are bonuses.

Harry Higgs (USA) added a 4-under-par round to finish 2nd (19-under-par 269). On the second day’s 9th hole (par 5), he made news by hitting a double eagle (albatross) with a 4-iron from 230 yards remaining. Brandon Steele (USA), who won back-to-back in 2016-2017, finished tied for 29th (13-under-par 275). From Korea, Kim Si-woo (25) tied for 44th (10-under-par 278), and the '18-year-old young gun' Kim Joo-hyung (18, both from CJ Logistics) tied for 67th (4-under-par 284).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.