Interview: Stewart Cink
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Stewart Cink: Best Open finish: Won, 2009
What’s your favourite part of Open week?
Playing links golf. I think it takes a lot of imagination, a lot of creativity. It’s different, it’s way off the centre line of testing your mechanics.
What do you make of links golf?
In the States we’re so used to the manicured condition of the courses that anything less than an expected type of bounce and we get upset. Over there you can’t do that. You’ve got to expect different bounces and you’ve got to play for the percentages.
How do you prepare for it?
Last year I went to Ireland early with buddies to play golf the week before. It’s part of the Open experience, to get used to playing links golf. You can’t hide from anything on those courses.
Do you know much about Hoylake?
I played it in 2006. This year I can’t devote that much time to get ready because I’ve got a task on my hands over here to gain my spot.
If it’s hard and fast will you scale back on driver like Tiger did in 2006?
You just need to have a solid strategy on all the holes, know what clubs to hit off all the tees. It’s not all drivers out there.
What do you make of British food and drink?
The pub life is cool. It just feels like golf is a little more woven into the fabric of society than it is over here.
Does the time difference affect you?
Do whatever you can to be outside and stay awake!
What do you make of British fans?
Best in the world. They’re so knowledgeable, they appreciate the right type of shot on every occasion and they always seem to know exactly what the player is hoping to do. When he pulls it off they love it, doesn’t matter if you’re Tiger Woods or a qualifier.
