Stewart Cink wins the 138th Open Championship

The championship was won by Stewart Cink, who claimed his first major championship after a four-hole playoff with 59 year-old Tom Watson, having not held the outright lead during regulation play. Watson had the chance to win his sixth Open and become the oldest major champion in history during regulation play, but was unable to make par on the final hole to drop into a tie with Cink.

Tom Watson and Stewart Cink had tied at 2 under par during regulation play and entered a playoff for the championship. Under the rules of the Open Championship, the playoff was played over 4 holes. Holes number 5, 6, 17 and 18 were replayed.

On the first playoff hole, both players found greenside bunkers, but while Watson was only able to make minimal progress towards the hole and made bogey, Cink splashed out to 6 feet and made his par. Both made par 3s on the second hole. On the third hole of the playoff, the par 5 17th, Watson's drive found a bad lie in heavy rough, and he was unable to reach the fairway with his next shot. Having reached the green in four, he then three-putted for a 7, while Cink hit the green in two and two putted for birdie. With a four stroke lead going down the final hole, Cink hit his approach to 5 feet, and made birdie to triumph in the playoff by 6 strokes and win the Open Championship.