PGA TOURLeaderboardWatch + ListenNewsFedExCupSchedulePlayersStatsGolfbetSignature EventsComcast Business TOUR TOP 10Aon Better DecisionsDP World Tour Eligibility RankingsHow It WorksPGA TOUR TrainingTicketsShopPGA TOURPGA TOUR ChampionsKorn Ferry TourPGA TOUR AmericasLPGA TOURDP World TourPGA TOUR University
Archive

Stewart Cink, Brian Gay pass 600-start milestone

1 Min Read

Latest

NAPA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Stewart Cink celebrates after his birdie putt on the 18th hole to finish -21 in the final round of the Safeway Open at Silverado Resort on September 13, 2020 in Napa, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

NAPA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Stewart Cink celebrates after his birdie putt on the 18th hole to finish -21 in the final round of the Safeway Open at Silverado Resort on September 13, 2020 in Napa, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Veterans displayed impressive longevity with wins this fall



    Written by Staff

    Stewart Cink wins at Safeway Open


    Editor's note: Brian Gay withdrew on Tuesday


    Golf is a game that loves to celebrate its young stars, but we shouldn't forget to honor those players who display impressive longevity. Just getting on the PGA TOUR is hard. Staying there is even harder.

    This week at The RSM Classic, two players will be honored for their incredible consistency.

    The RSM Classic will be Stewart Cink’s 600th PGA TOUR start as a professional. He will be just the 68th player in PGA TOUR history to play at least 600 events.

    This fall has been one for the veteran players. Cink, 47, won the season-opening Safeway Open. He is the oldest player to win a season-opening event since at least 1970. It was his seventh PGA TOUR win, which includes the 2009 Open Championship and 2004 World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational. Cink’s first PGA TOUR victory came in 1997, the same year Collin Morikawa was born.

    Brian Gay passed the 600-start mark at this year's Safeway Open. He won two starts later at the Bermuda Championship, becoming just the ninth player to win on TOUR after making his 600th start. It was Gay’s fifth PGA TOUR victory.

    Cink and Gay are being honored for their accomplishments at this week’s The RSM Classic. Here’s a closer look at some of the impressive numbers from their careers.

    CategoryStewart CinkBrian Gay
    Age4748
    Starts600602
    Rounds2,3091,905
    Wins7 (1.2%)5 (0.8%)
    Top-10s101 (16.8%)52 (8.6%)
    Top-25s244 (40.7%)139 (23.1%)
    Cuts made457 (76.2%)366 (60.8%)

    PLAYERS TO WIN AFTER 600TH PGA TOUR START
    NameEventStart
    Brian Gay2020 Bermuda Championship602
    Davis Love III2015 Wyndham Championship715
    Mark Calcavecchia2007 Valspar Championship654
    Mark Calcavecchia2005 RBC Canadian Open615
    Brad Faxon2005 Travelers Championship600
    Peter Jacobsen2003 Travelers Championship624
    Craig Stadler2003 B.C. Open626
    Scott Hoch2003 Doral609
    Hale Irwin1994 RBC Heritage621
    Raymond Floyd1992 Doral676

    OLDEST PLAYER TO WIN SEASON-OPENING EVENT (SINCE 1970)
    NameEventAge
    Stewart Cink2020 Safeway Open47
    Steve Stricker2012 Sentry Tournament of Champions44
    Vijay Singh2007 Sentry Tournament of Champions43
    Calvin Peete1986 Sentry Tournament of Campions42
    Tom Kite1991 Sentry Tournament of Champions41

    MOST BIRDIES MADE SINCE 1995
    NameBirdies
    Phil Mickelson7,876
    Vijay Singh7,580
    Jim Furyk7,445
    Stewart Cink7,437
    Charles Howell III6,998
    Jerry Kelly6,988
    Brian Gay6,693
    Thru Nov. 11.