Stewart Cink, a veteran golfer with eight PGA Tour wins under his belt, has announced that he will be playing on the PGA Tour Champions starting next season. Having turned 50 and being eligible for the senior circuit for some time, Cink explained to Golfweek’s Adam Schupak that he felt it was time to dedicate more of his time to the PGA Tour Champions. After making 11 appearances in 2024, Cink had a conversation with his wife following a disappointing performance at the Wyndham Championship in August where he missed the cut and was left needing to secure his exempt status for the following season by finishing in the top 125 in the FedEx Cup standings.
Reflecting on his decision, Cink expressed that he enjoys the competition and grind of playing on the PGA Tour, but found that the overall experience was becoming less enjoyable as he aged. At 51, he felt like an outlier on the PGA Tour and was looking forward to playing alongside his peers on the Champions Tour where he believes he will have a better experience both on and off the course. Despite his recent success on the PGA Tour with a win at the 2021 RBC Heritage, Cink is excited about the opportunity to compete on the Champions Tour and believes he can achieve further success in the coming years.
Cink’s most recent victory on the PGA Tour Champions came at the Ally Challenge in August, where he secured his first title on the senior circuit. Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Cink is motivated to make the most of the window of opportunity he has on the Champions Tour and is eager to see what he can accomplish in this new chapter of his career. Before focusing on his transition to the senior circuit, Cink is currently competing in the PNC Championship alongside his son, Connor, where the duo finished the first round tied for ninth after a strong performance.
For Cink, the decision to move to the PGA Tour Champions was not just about his performance on the course, but also about the overall experience and enjoyment of playing competitive golf. While he appreciates the grind and intensity of the PGA Tour, he believes that he will have a more fulfilling experience playing alongside his peers on the Champions Tour. With multiple victories on the PGA Tour and a recent win on the senior circuit, Cink is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as he embarks on this new chapter of his career.