Cink hole swallows up MCI leader

Stewart Cink overcame a nine-shot deficit in the final round, defeated Purdy in a playoff.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. -- Stewart Cink came from nine strokes down to force a playoff, then beat Ted Purdy with a birdie on the fifth extra hole to win the MCI Heritage on Sunday.

Cink shot a 7-under 64 to pull of the second biggest PGA comeback and win his first title in four years.

Cink had six birdies and an eagle to catch Purdy at 10-under 274. Purdy started the round with a four shot lead, but struggled to a 2-over 73.

Ernie Els shot a 69 to finish in a tie for third at 8-under, his same score of a week ago when he lost by a stroke to Phil Mickelson at the Masters.

After Purdy and Cink matched pars for four holes, Cink landed a wedge from the waste bunker about 6 feet away while Purdy was off the back of the green.

Purdy parred the hole, then Cink rolled in the winner.

However, after the champion's ceremony, Cink went with PGA Tour tournament director Slugger White to review his critical bunker shot on the final hole. Television viewers called in to point out that Cink removed loose stones from the area before he hit.

White said they reviewed the footage about 10 times and found Cink had done nothing wrong.

Cink's comeback was only surpassed by Paul Lawrie's 10-stroke rally to win the 1999 British Open.

It was the third career victory for a player remembered most for missing an 18-inch putt at the U.S. Open in 2001 that would've gotten him into a playoff.

"I'm playing well. I've been consistent this year," Cink said. "I've waited a few years for it and it feels great."

Cink was so far back he teed off nearly two hours before Purdy, the 54-hole leader bidding for his first PGA win.

Champions Tour

Tom Jenkins won his first Champions Tour victory of the year and fifth of his career by five strokes over Rodger Davis with an 7-under 63 final round Sunday at the Blue Angels Classic.

Jenkins, the eighth winner in as many tour events this year, finished with a 14-under 196. Davis was at 201 while Gil Morgan, Jim Ahern, Wayne Levi tied for third another stroke back at 202.

-- From wire reports