Cink discovers new drive via wife’s battle with cancer
T he Golf Club of Houston’s Tournament Course can be punishing. It’s long, has a lot of water and challenging rough.
But Stewart Cink welcomes the test.
The 43-year old pro has a new outlook on how to tackle a difficult task.
He has a new outlook on how to fight.
Almost a year ago, his wife Lisa was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer.
Through her battle, Cink has learned how to take on the sport in a whole new way, one that requires more discipline and determination than he has displayed in the past.
Since last April, Cink has watched Lisa go through PET scans, chemotherapy and all of the side effects. It’s an ongoing fight, and he has been in awe of the way she has handled it.
“She fights with discipline,” he said. “She fights with structure, she fights with education, she fights with faith.
“And I felt like if she’s doing everything she can to fight for something, why can’t I do everything I can to fight for something?”
Cink took a long, hard look at himself.
He was moved by his wife and inspired by her positivity, her motivation, her will to fight to survive. He wanted to prove it. So while supporting her, he also got back to work.
If she could be that strong in
the biggest challenge of her life, he could certainly try harder to improve in his daily challenges.
Because of her, Cink was motivated to be a better golfer.
“Golf is really an easy thing to look in the mirror and discover problems,” he said. “There were areas of my game where I felt like I was a little deficient and I knew it for years and didn’t do a whole lot about it. I thought I was, but really, going back and examining myself further, I really wasn’t doing that much to own those little differences.”
So he decided to tackle his issues.
Cink spent time working on the little things. He hired coaches, worked on his swing, his drive, his short game and everything in between.
He became more organized, more structured, more determined.
“I thought if I am going to really get better and take advantage of this, I am going to play like I am inspired by her, then there is no choice but to start,” he said. “And I did. It’s not always easy to say I am weak in this area and have to get better, but it’s necessary.”
In 12 events this season, Cink has made the cut 10 times and finished in the top 10 once. He shot 13-under-par at The RSM Classic in November for a top-10 finish in the tournament. He was ranked No. 52 headed into this week’s Shell Houston Open.
In Thursday’s opening round, Cink shot a 6-under 66, putting him in third place behind Rickie Fowler and Sung Kang.
Last year, Stewart finished tied for 33rd. His best finish here was in 2013, when he tied for sixth.
The SHO is a good barometer for tour golfers because the course is a telling one.
“There’s not much left to chance here,” he said. “If you play well, you’re rewarded. If you don’t, this course can punish you.”
It’s a stop on tour he always has liked, but this year it’s a bit more special.
One of the sponsors, M.D. Anderson, has become a big part of the Cinks’ life. This week, the hospital will provide free skin cancer screenings and will have doctors on hand to talk to fans at the tournament about cancer treatment and prevention.
“We have been to a lot of cancer centers,” Cink said. “You really feel like they are working to eliminate the disease. It’s comforting when you are going through this. It’s great they are out here this week.”
He arrived Tuesday morning to prep for the tournament. Being back on the course, in another tournament leaves him feeling grateful.
“I love this game, I love to play,” Cink said.
He has a new appreciation for his sport now that he has taken a different approach to playing it.
While Lisa has battled cancer, she has unknowingly taught her husband to be a better athlete.
“She inspires me,” Cink said. “She’s made me more tenacious, made me focus. I let go of the little things that were holding me down.
“There’s no better way to say it. She’s inspired me to fight.”