Former Bridgestone Invitational winner Cink claims first major

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Only two weeks remain before the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational returns to Firestone Country Club, meaning players are running out of time to secure a berth in one of golf's most elite fields of the year. The Bridgestone Invitational, the third of four World Golf Championship events on the 2009 schedule, will be played Aug. 4-9 on the South Course at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.

Entering competition this week at the RBC Canadian Open, 76 players have already qualified for the Bridgestone Invitational, a field comprised primarily of tournament winners from professional golf tours around the globe. One of those players is none other than 2004 Bridgestone Invitational champion Stewart Cink, who claimed his first victory in a major championship last week at the British Open. The Bridgestone Invitational will be Cink's first start after his triumph at Turnberry.

Entering the final round three shots off the pace set by 54-hole leader and five-time British Open champion Tom Watson, Cink crafted a 1-under-par 69 in breezy conditions Sunday to match Watson at 2-under-par 278 at the end of regulation. Cink converted a clutch birdie putt on the 72nd hole to post 2-under and watched as Watson bogeyed the 18th hole, sending the two into a four-hole playoff. Cink claimed the victory after posting two pars and two birdies in the playoff.

A six-time winner on the PGA TOUR, including a victory in Akron in 2004, Cink was already qualified for this year's Bridgestone Invitational as a member of the 2007 U.S. Presidents Cup Team and 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup Team. The former Georgia Tech standout has put together a solid track record on the South Course at Firestone Country Club. In addition to his victory in 2004, Cink finished seventh in 1999 and was runner up to Tiger Woods in 2006. With his win at the British Open, Cink moved from No. 56 to No. 13 in the FedExCup standings and is now ranked No. 9 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

The field at the Bridgestone Invitational will consist of tournament winners from the tours that make up the International Federation of PGA Tours since the prior year's Bridgestone Invitational (tournament must have a strength of field rating of 115 points or more). Playing members of the 2007 U.S. and International teams from The Presidents Cup as well as playing members from the 2008 U.S. and European Ryder Cup teams also qualify. The field will be completed with players ranked in the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking as of Monday, July 27, and Monday, Aug. 3.

If the field closed today, five players (outside the 76 already qualified) would qualify for the Bridgestone Invitational based on the Official World Golf Ranking: Ross Fisher (No. 23, England); Luke Donald (No. 25, England); Robert Allenby (No. 40, Australia); Shingo Katayama (No. 43, Japan); and Mathew Goggin (No. 48, Australia). Among those on the outside looking in and in need of a good finish over the next two weeks are: Stephen Ames (No. 56, Canada); Peter Hanson (No. 57, Sweden); and Chris Wood (No. 59, England).

For a limited time, purchase a Firestone Clubhouse Badge or a Weekly Championship Ticket Book and receive a free dozen Bridgestone Golf balls at Northeast Ohio Dick's Sporting Goods or Golf Galaxy. To learn more about the ticket packages available for the Bridgestone Invitational, call the Championship Office at 330-664-2299, toll free 1-877-942-4849 or visit www.worldgolfchampionships.com