Full Breakdown
Stewart Cink Captures Second Consecutive Senior Major at the 2026 Regions Tradition
5/4/2026, 4:44:17 AM
Cink Secures Victory at the Regions Tradition
The 2026 Regions Tradition concluded on Sunday, May 3, at Greystone Golf & Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama. Stewart Cink, entering the final round with a three-shot lead, extended his advantage with birdies on holes 11 and 12, ultimately posting a 3-under-par 69 for a total of 18-under-par 270. He finished three strokes ahead of Australian Scott Hend, while Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie took third place.
Recent Form and Career Context
Two weeks earlier, Cink captured the Senior PGA Championship in Bradenton, Florida, his first senior major. The Regions Tradition win marks his fourth victory of the 2026 season and his eighth on the PGA Tour Champions, a total that matches his career PGA Tour win count. The back-to-back majors place him among the few players to claim the first two senior majors in a single year.
Main Contenders
Scott Hend surged with an eagle on the par-5 13th and a birdie on 14, posting a 65 to finish at 15-under-par, two strokes behind Cink. Montgomerie, who entered the final round one shot back, recorded a one-under-par 71 for 13-under-par, his best top-10 finish in over three years. Notable other finishers included Ernie Els (T-8, 10-under), Padraig Harrington and Steven Alker (T-11, 9-under), and Justin Leonard (T-28, 4-under).
Scores, Prize, and Impact
Cink’s 18-under-par total earned him the $390,000 winner’s share of the $2.6 million purse. Each dollar of prize money converts to one Charles Schwab Cup point during the regular season; the victory more than doubled Cink’s lead over newcomer Zach Johnson in the points race. The result also solidified his position atop the senior tour’s season-long standings.
Official Statements from Cink
Cink described his round as “not easy” but highlighted his resilience and confidence in the game plan. He stressed the importance of staying in the moment and noted his personal ties to Birmingham, calling the venue the place where he “cut his teeth.” He also mentioned his wife Lisa’s upcoming breast-cancer appointment in Houston.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I'm really proud I was able to stay out front.” — Stewart Cink, PGA Tour Champions player
- “But I was pretty resilient and I trusted what I had and our game plan was good.” — Stewart Cink
- “One of the things I’m doing a pretty good job of is just kind of staying in the moment,” — Stewart Cink
- “This is where I cut my teeth in golf.” — Stewart Cink
- “It's not ever going to get old.” — Stewart Cink
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Cink’s birthplace: one describes him as a Huntsville, Alabama native, while another calls him a Florence, Alabama native.
What’s Next
The next Champions stop is the Insperity Invitational in Texas, where Cink will defend his title while his wife Lisa has a medical appointment in Houston.
