Cink ends Watson's dream

Tom Watson's remarkable bid for a British Open victory at the age of 59 fell agonisingly short yesterday when he lost to fellow American Stewart Cink in a four-hole playoff.

Watson, bidding for a record-tying sixth Claret Jug, squandered the chance to become golf's oldest major champion when he missed 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.

He won the first extra hole, the fifth, with a par when Watson collected a bogey five after hitting his approach into a greenside bunker.

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.

Watson double-bogeyed the hole after driving into thick rough on the right and taking two more shots to reach the fairway.

One of the most remarkable major championships of all time finally ended with Watson having to settle for second place in pursuit of a ninth major title.

He had been aiming to shatter golf's previous record for the oldest major winner, compatriot Julius Boros having clinched the 1968 U.S. PGA Championship at the age of 48.

The duo finished the regulation 72 holes on two under, Watson bogeying the last for a 72 and Cink closing with a 69.

Lee Westwood, who eagled the par-five seventh for a brief two-stroke lead, faltered after the turn on the way to a 71 and a tie for third with fellow Briton Chris Wood (67).

Double US Open champion Retief Goosen of South Africa eagled the 17th for a 72 to share fifth place with Britain's Luke Donald (67) and Australian Mathew Goggin (73).