Cink ends Watson's dream with Turnberry win

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

TURNBERRY, Scotland (Reuters) - Tom Watson's remarkable bid for a British Open victory at the age of 59 fell agonisingly short on Sunday when he lost to fellow American Stewart Cink in a four-hole playoff.

Seeking a record-tying sixth Claret Jug, Watson squandered the chance to become golf's oldest major champion when he overshot the green before missing an eight-foot par putt on the 72nd hole.

Cink, who had earlier rolled in a 15-footer there for a birdie three to take the clubhouse lead on two-under 278 at Turnberry's Ailsa Course, took advantage to seal his maiden major title.

"I'm a little intimidated by this piece of hardware here," an emotional Cink, 36, said after being presented with the Claret Jug on the 18th green.

"There are a lot of emotions running through my mind and heart and I'm as proud as I can be to be here with this (trophy).

"It was fun watching Tom all week and I'm sure I speak for all the rest of the people too."

Cink won the first extra hole, the fifth, with a par when Watson took a five after hitting his approach into a greenside bunker and hitting an ugly third shot from the sand.

They each parred the second extra hole, the par-three sixth, before Cink effectively sealed the win at the par-five 17th with a two-putt birdie.