Cinking in

Stewart Cink had a bad start to the third round of his 20th U.S. Open.

His first four holes went this way: double bogey, bogey, bogey, bogey.

“When you start off like that, you’re whole system gets shaken up. It’s hard not to struggle with your focus a little bit,” Cink said.

He ended up with two birdies and no bogeys over his last five holes.

“Stabilized is a good word for it. But when you’re 5 over through four holes, you don’t need to stabilize, you need to completely turn it around,” Cink said.

The 2009 British Open winner made his first appearance at the U.S. Open in three years, having secured a qualifying spot at the Columbus, Ohio, sectional. His best finish at the U.S. Open was third in 2001.

Third-round disappointment aside, Cink is still looking forward to playing on Sunday. It also happens to be his 24th wedding anniversary with his wife, Lisa.

“It’s so nice to be playing on my anniversary that we’re moving our anniversary officially this year to Tuesday,” Cink said. “It’ll be a lot more like any other Sunday.”