ESPN Golf: Stewart Cink Claims Second Senior Major of 2026, Dominates PGA Tour Champions

Cink Dominates Regions Tradition for Second Major of 2026

Stewart Cink claimed the Regions Tradition title at Greystone Golf & Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama, finishing at 18-under 270 with a closing 69 — a three-shot victory worth $390,000. It marks his second major of the season following his Senior PGA Championship win just two weeks prior.

Back-Nine Birdies Seal the Win

Cink entered the final round with a three-shot cushion but faced pressure from Colin Montgomerie, who closed to within two shots heading into the back nine. Cink responded decisively with birdies on holes 11 and 12 to rebuild a four-shot lead. Scott Hend made a late charge — eagle on the par-5 13th and birdie on the 14th — but could not convert the remaining par-5s and signed for a 65 to finish runner-up. Montgomerie failed to birdie over his final 13 holes, shooting 71 for solo third.

An Unprecedented Pace of Victory

This is Cink's fourth win of 2026 and third title in his last four weeks. Over his last eight starts, he has won five times. He joins Ángel Cabrera (2025) as the only players to capture the Senior PGA and the Tradition in consecutive fashion. His Charles Schwab Cup lead now more than doubles that of nearest rival Zach Johnson.

Off the Leaderboard: Heart and Perspective

Even in victory, Cink pivoted quickly to what matters most — his wife Lisa's breast cancer treatment appointment in Houston this week, which coincides with the Insperity Invitational, where he is the defending champion.

Strokeslab Perspective

Cink's dominance mirrors what elite SG data consistently shows: it is not the flashiest shots but the fewest mistakes that separate winners. His ability to absorb Hend's eagle-birdie run without a bogey response reflects the kind of SG: Around the Green and putting stability that Strokes Gained models reward most heavily in final-round conditions.