Stewart Cink Leads the Charles Schwab Championship
In a standout performance, Stewart Cink placed himself at the top of the Charles Schwab Championship, the final event of the PGA Tour Champions season. Cink delivered a flawless card, bogey-free, with an impressive 64 (-7) in the first round held at the Phoenix Country Club.
Cink, located in third position in the Charles Schwab Cup ranking, behind Steven Alker and Miguel Ángel Jiménez, closed his participation with consecutive birdies, demonstrating his excellent form.
Jerry Kelly also shone, recovering from a bogey on the 10th hole with eight birdies, to sign a card of 65.
Steven Alker, with a 66, was two strokes behind Cink, tied with Tommy Gainey, Jason Caron and Steve Flesch. Miguel Ángel Jiménez, for his part, placed 15th after a round of 69.
Alker, defending champion of the Schwab Championship and winner of the Schwab Cup in 2023, has had an outstanding season. The 54-year-old player, originally from New Zealand, has achieved two victories on the PGA Tour Champions this year, leading the overall standings. Ernie Els and Thomas Bjorn are also in the fight for the title.
Thomas Bjorn achieved a 68, placing eighth, while Ernie Els positioned himself in 19th place with a 70.
Cink started his round with a birdie on the first hole, completing the first nine with a 33 under par. In the second part of the course, he added birdies on two of the first three holes before his brilliant finish.
Alker also started with a birdie on the initial hole, and with another couple of birdies stayed behind Cink in the competition.
