Stewart Cink says he will play on the PGA Tour Champions from next season.
The eight-time PGA Tour winner revealed the news in an exclusive interview with Golfweek’s Adam Schupak, where he explained the moment he knew it was time to commit to the senior circuit.
Cink has been eligible for PGA Tour Champions since turning 50. Now aged 51, he explained to Schupak that the time had come to dedicate more of his time to it having made 11 appearances in 2024.
He revealed he had discussed the decision with his wife after missing the cut at the Wyndham Championship in August. That left him 173rd in the FedEx Cup standings and needing to reach the top 125 after the FedEx Cup Fall to achieve exempt status for the following season. With the prospect of that getting even harder in the future, he decided it was time to move on.
He explained: “I was like, you know what? I'm grinding my butt off, and I like the grind; It's like my favorite part of doing this. I like it. But I'm grinding to earn myself the right to be back in this exact same position next year trying to make the top 125 except it is only going to be the top 100.”
Cink also said that his age was becoming a factor, too, and not just on the course. He added: “I love playing the PGA Tour, but I've been doing it a long time and I'm such an outlier out there age-wise. It's just not as much fun.
“If every day was Thursday through Sunday, if it was just the competition, I'd still be doing it. But practice rounds, the range, locker room, dining, at some point, you got to be around your folks and my folk are on the Champions Tour. So I told my wife, ‘I think it's time to switch over.'”
The most recent of Cink’s PGA Tour wins came in April 2021, when he claimed the RBC Heritage title for the third time, but he tasted victory again this year on the PGA Tour Champions at the Ally Challenge. The American is convinced he can build on that success in the months and years ahead.
“I have this window and I don't want to look back and say I didn't take advantage of it,” he explained. “I’ve got a chance to maybe do something really good over there. So, I'm moving on. I'm ready. I feel great about it and I'm excited.”
Before preparing for the 2025 season, Cink is competing in this week’s PNC Championship alongside son Connor. The pair finished the first round tied for ninth following a nine-under round of 63.
