Stewart Cink makes feelgood start to RSM Classic alongside wife Lisa
Sunday 20 November 2016 10:19, UK
Stewart Cink made use of some off-course inspiration to shoot an opening round of 62 at the RSM Classic at Sea Island in Georgia.
Cink's career-low round at the Seaside Course included nine birdies and a sloppy dropped shot at the ninth, his closing hole, which eventually cost him a share of the lead.
But Cink was still smiling at the end of the round, with his wife Lisa having been able to walk the entire round watching him as she continues a lengthy battle with Stage 4 breast cancer.
Cink stepped away from golf in April to look after Lisa but, after nine rounds of chemotherapy, she received what the former Open champion said was a 'good report' from doctors in Houston on Monday.
"A huge blessing," Cink said. "I am just really encouraged by the way she's been able to fight and handle it.
"She's had definitely a lot of ups and downs and she feels pretty well, and she got a good report Monday, real good. She's really like an inspiration for me."
The 43-year-old also admitted his wife's battle had helped him become more relaxed on course, realising golf is just part of his life.
And that showed on Thursday as Cink carded four birdies on his front nine, going out in 31 before he used a run of four successive birdies from the fourth to get to nine under.
Cink managed to hit the green at the ninth despite hitting his drive into a bunker, but he would three-putt and have to settle for a 62, one shot off the early pace set by Canada's Mackenzie Hughes.
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"I'm just trying to let golf be a piece of my life and not let life be a piece of golf," Cink added. "It grew out of our situation with Lisa where I felt like I had a chance to do some things to just kind of turn myself around.
"The last few years haven't been that great for me productivity-wise on the golf course. So I decided to make some changes and felt like if Lisa can fight, I can fight."
Hughes, who has only one top-25 finish in eight career PGA Tour starts, harboured hopes of a sub-60 round towards the end of his opening 18, which also came at the par-70 Seaside course being used this week along with the Plantation Course.
He had five birdies on his outward nine and moved to seven under after 11 holes with back-to-back birdies.
Further shots were picked up at the 14th and 15th but, with a 59 in his sights, Hughes could only par the last three holes and had to settle for sole possession of the lead.
Joining Cink on eight under was Jonathan Byrd, who had eight birdies in a bogey-free start to his tournament.
Four more players shot seven under par rounds, with Blayne Barber carding 63 at Seaside while Cameron Tringale, Kyle Stanley and Hiroshi Iwata fared best of those playing Plantation by shooting 65 at the par-72 venue.
