Sun sets on first half of Senior PGA Championship

Scott Hend and Brian Gay are tied at the top, but Stewart Cink isn't far behind.

By Jack Nelson
| 9:14 p.m. April 17, 2026

Stewart Cink watches his drive off the 10th-hole tee. He sits two strokes behind the leaders entering the third round of the Senior PGA Championship, in pursuit of his first senior major title.

East County
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Winning big was not something Stewart Cink did often on the PGA Tour. The Open Championship in 2009 remains his career highlight — his only major victory.

Besides that memorable day in Turnberry, Scotland, he claimed seven other titles. Joining the PGA Tour Champions, though, brought about a late-career renaissance.

Three of the last five individual tournaments Cink has played, he's won. And he attributes such success to his long game.

"It just makes golf courses easier when you keep it in play and you drive it fairly long," Cink said. "That's what I've been doing well for about the last half a year.

Through two rounds of the Senior PGA Championship, the 52-year-old sits at 8-under par, good for a three-way tie for third place with Ben Crane and Retief Goosen. He carded a 67 on April 17 at The Concession Golf Club — a par-72 course.

Scott Hend and Brian Gay share the lead at 10-under par. Cink, meanwhile, improved by two strokes in the second round despite two bogeys. He birdied four of his first seven holes and earned an eagle on the 17th.

Earlier this season, Cink triumphed in the Mitsubishi Electric Championship and Hoag Classic on Jan. 24 and March 29, respectively. It all starts off the tee for him.

"That's a pretty marked difference from my career as a whole, where I really was not that straight of a hitter," Cink said. "Driving is playing a pretty big role in low scores for me right now."

He has six wins on the senior circuit since joining in May 2023. The native of Huntsville, Alabama, is also the reigning PGA Tour Champions Player of the Year.

But he has yet to claim his maiden senior major, and hopes to change that at a course with a reputation for its degree of difficulty.

"One of my friends at home, when I told them we were going to play this tournament at Concession, he said, 'Oh, you mean concussion,'" Cink said. "So it has a nickname. I don't think that's something he made up."

The third round will begin at 7:30 a.m. April 18 with groups teeing off on the first hole. Tickets can be purchased at srpgachampionship.com/tickets/.

Miguel Ángel Jiménez smokes a cigar as he walks the 18th hole. He lays claim to 17 wins on the PGA Tour Champions, and sits at 4-under par entering the third round.

Henrik Stenson reads the 8th green before attempting a putt. The Senior PGA Championship is his first event on the PGA Tour Champions following relegation from LIV Golf.

Vijay Singh watches his tee shot fly on the 11th hole. The three-time major champion entered the Senior PGA Championship after shooting 10-over par at the Masters Tournament.

Bernhard Langer putts on the 17th green. The 12-time senior major champion was tied for the lead after the first round, but shot 10 strokes worse in the second.

John Daly maneuvers his golf cart around spectators on the 9th hole. Despite finishing over par for the second straight round, he drew the biggest crowd on April 17.

Pádraig Harrington watches his drive on the 18th hole. He tied for second at last year's Senior PGA Championship, but is currently six strokes behind the leaders.

Steven Alker hits his approach shot on the 17th hole. His 68 in the second round spared him from being cut after 4-over par on the first day.

Retief Goosen awaits his shot on the 4th hole. The two-time U.S. Open champion is tied for third place at 8-under par through two rounds.

Zach Johnson tries to reach the 10th green with his sand shot. After a 73 in his opening round, he carded a 67 on the second day to earn 4-under par overall.

John Daly smokes a cigarette between strokes on the 18th hole. He shot 3-over par through his first two rounds, finishing below the cut line.

author

Jack Nelson

Jack Nelson is the sports reporter for the East County and Sarasota/Siesta Key Observers. As a proud UCLA graduate and Massachusetts native, Nelson also writes for NBA.com and previously worked for MassLive. His claim to fame will always be that one time he sat at the same table as LeBron James and Stephen Curry.