Stewart Cink took his Nike clubs to Scotland, and is coming home with an extra claret jug for his first major victory. He beat Tom Watson in a 4 hole playoff. Cink birdied the 72nd hole to even get into the playoff, and then played great in the playoff, making 2 birdies.
Of course, most people were rooting for Tom Watson who at the age of 59 was the story of the week. Who would have expected such an old-timer to compete? Watson has already won the British Open 5 times, and even though I was rooting for him, I’m happy for Cink.
Here’s what was in Stewart Cink’s Bag at Turnberry
Driver
Nike SQ Sumo2 Tour 9.5°
Fairway Woods
Nike SQ2 3 wood (15 degrees; UST ProForce AsivCore Tour Red 79 shaft)
Irons
Nike Pro Combo OS (2 & 4 irons), Nike CCi Forged (3-PW)
Wedges
Nike VR (52°, 56°, 60°)
Putter
Nike prototype
Here’s the tally for the winning clubs on tour by brand so far this season:
Cink’s Nike CCI forged irons are several years old, but he recently changed his ball, and didn’t want to change his irons at the same time. I guess it’s good not to have too many variables. If he plays well, would it be due to the ball or the clubs, and how would the ball react to different irons? There are a lot of questions, and it’s best for someone at the top level of play to change things slowly, and make sure that new equipment really is an improvement. Of course, for most of the rest of us, we’re just not so fine-tuned as to think that we can’t change balls and clubs at the same time.
Here’s ESPN’s summary of Watson’s last hole, and the playoff:
