The Fried Egg Golf Podcast Stewart Cink on His 2009 Open Win, U.S. Ryder Cup, & More
Feb 18, 2026
Stewart Cink, 2009 Open champion and long-time tour pro, reflects on his 30-year career and evolution in golf. He talks about how the ball and TrackMan changed distance and consistency. He revisits winning at the Open and links strategy. He explains playing with his son on the bag and how Ryder Cup culture and tour structures have shifted.
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Early Twitter: Building One-On-One Fans
- Stewart Cink started on Twitter in 2008 to connect personally with fans by posting simple moments like taking his son to hockey practice.
- He built one-on-one relationships early and answered fans directly before the platform scaled and changed.
Short Vignettes Build Player Connection
- Stewart Cink says televised vignettes create emotional connection and can make lesser-known players relatable to fans.
- He recommends short, packaged player stories ready to run when someone contends to increase viewer engagement.
Why Long Tour Careers Might Shrink
- Cink believes long PGA Tour careers are less likely because the tour is contracting and capacity limits opportunities.
- He says aging changes risk appetite and decision-making, reducing aggressive play even when physical skills remain.