Golf fans, brace yourselves for a thrilling start to the 2026 season! Stewart Cink has just clinched the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai, marking a historic victory that’s already sparking conversations in the golf world. But here’s where it gets even more fascinating: Cink’s win isn’t just another notch on his belt—it’s a testament to his dominance on the PGA TOUR Champions circuit. Let’s dive into the details that make this triumph so remarkable.
At 52, Stewart Cink isn’t just competing—he’s excelling. With a bogey-free 64, he matched the lowest round of the day, securing his fifth win on the PGA TOUR Champions in just 37 starts. His scorecard? A jaw-dropping 66-63-64 for a total of 193 (-23). And this is the part most people miss: Cink’s victory makes him the first player to win back-to-back tournaments on the PGA TOUR Champions since Ángel Cabrera’s impressive 2025 run. Talk about setting the bar high!
Cink’s win at Hualalai is particularly sweet, as it’s his first in three starts at this event, following a T5 in 2024 and a T8 in 2025. He dominated the field with 24 birdies and tied for first in driving distance, averaging 312.2 yards. Controversial question: Is Cink’s consistency a product of experience, or is he simply in a league of his own? Let us know what you think in the comments!
This victory also solidifies Cink’s position as the first Charles Schwab Cup leader of the 2026 season, fresh off winning the 2025 Charles Schwab Cup Championship. Oh, and did we mention he was just named the 2025 PGA TOUR Champions Player of the Year (Jack Nicklaus Award)? Talk about a stellar start to the year!
Now, let’s not forget the other standout performances. Ángel Cabrera, a first-timer at Hualalai, finished as runner-up at 20 under, matching Cink’s driving distance. World Golf Hall of Fame member Retief Goosen (third place) also matched Cink’s low round of 64, finishing at 18 under. This marks Goosen’s fourth top-six finish at Hualalai in six starts—a record that’s hard to ignore.
Three players tied for fourth at 17 under: defending champion Ernie Els, Freddie Jacobson, and Thomas Bjørn, all first-timers at Hualalai. And let’s tip our caps to Bernhard Langer (T9), who shot his age (68) or better for the 37th time on the PGA TOUR Champions, and Jay Haas (T24), who did the same at 72 for the 41st time. Is age just a number in golf, or do these veterans have secrets the rest of us are missing?
Cink’s win at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship isn’t just a personal milestone—it’s a statement. With his low 54-hole score of 193, he’s set a new standard for excellence on the PGA TOUR Champions. But here’s the real question: Can anyone stop Stewart Cink’s momentum in 2026? Share your predictions below—we’re all ears!
