Cink sets record at RBC Heritage
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Stewart Cink moved into position for a third RBC Heritage title Friday afternoon, shooting a second straight 8-under-par 63 to set the 36-hole scoring mark at Harbour Town Golf Links.
Cink appeared unstoppable after two amazing days that had the 47-yearold American at 16-under 126, five shots ahead of Canada’s Corey Conners. The previous best 36-hole score at the event was 129, set by Jack Nicklaus on his way to victory in 1975 and matched in 2002 by Phil Mickelson, who wound up third that year.
Conners shot a 64, a score equaled by Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo, who was alone in third at 10 under. Fourth-ranked Collin Morikawa, the 2020 PGA Championship winner, was tied for fourth at 9 under with South Korea’s Sungjae Im (65), Billy Horschel (67) and firstround leader Cameron Smith (71) of Australia, a top-10 finisher in the past two Masters.
Baylor School graduate Luke List made the 2-under cut on the number, following his opening 74 with a 66 that was highlighted by seven birdies, the last of which came on his final hole — and one hole after he made bogey on the par-4 eighth.
Harris English, another former Red Raiders standout, followed his opening 70 with a 76. This year’s Sentry Tournament of Champions winner had made four straight cuts, including last week at the Masters, where he wound up tied for 21st.
As for Cink, the seven-time PGA Tour winner was hardly overwhelmed by the scores he posted the first two days on Hilton
Head Island, chalking them up to smart preparation and strong execution alongside his 24-year-old son, Reagan, who’s caddying for him.
“It doesn’t feel all that special, to be honest with you,” Cink said. “We just kind of worked our game plan.”
It was certainly unexpected. The 2009 British Open champion hasn’t finished in the top 20 at this event in a decade, hadn’t led halfway through a tournament since the Travelers Championship in 2008 and is closer to the PGA Tour Champions than his prime.
Yet the Alabama native and former Georgia Tech player has enjoyed a renaissance on golf’s top circuit this season. He won for the first time in 11 years at the Safeway Open in September and has added five top-20 finishes, including a tie for 12th at the Masters.