Used to like Stewart Cink...

[bplewis24]

before the open championship last year, cink was one of my favorite guys to watch and i always rooted for him. until it came down to the final round at the open. i, among pretty much everybody else, wanted to see TW win that tournament, which would have pretty much been the greatest finish to a major tournament since the other TW in the '05 masters. after that huge let down, i just can't enjoy watching stewart anymore. i know it's illogical for me to no longer root for him, but now i couldn't care less whether or not he wins or loses. is this wrong of me?

If people can like/dislike Woods, Mickleson, or any other golfer for illogical, irrational or subjective reasons, then it's not "wrong" of you to dislike Cink for some subjective reason. I will never understand it, but it's your perogative. And as soon as people start talking about who it's okay to root for/against because so-and-so is a good guy and the other person isn't, run for the hills. Those are the people you need to steer clear of. Pretending to know what these people are like in their private lives is just silly, so if you at least substantiate your like/dislike for a tangible reason (he beat the guy I liked), even if it's silly or illogical, it's miles ahead of the soap-box and self-righteous crew.

Brandon

[Shindig]

According to Cink, he was also rooting for Tom Watson in that playoff.

[BallStriker]

What about Cink at Hilton Head......do you think Ted Purdy has a good opinion of Stew??????

[CarlSpackler]

We chatted with Mr. Cink while he was signing autographs at The Memorial last month. He seems like a genuinely nice guy to me.

[zeg]

If you root for someone then whoever beats them is the enemy. Just think about all the sports teams you hate because they took down you beloved team. Same principal

I understand that for team sports, but not for golfers. Every golfer is against the whole field, so it doesn't make as much sense to pick one guy out as "the enemy." During a particular tournament, I can almost understand rooting against others for that week, but no way would I hold a grudge against someone for doing their best out there. That's what I want.

Actually, I don't fully understand rooting against someone. Even when "my guy" is in the mix, I want everyone to do well but "my guy" to do better. It's more exciting and rewarding to see someone beat others at their best, so about the only time I can see pulling for a shot to miss is when it's really the last putt that will end it. Maybe then I'll hope it comes up a ball short to leave a playoff, but still, I try only to root FOR, never against.

[Rexx]

I gotta admit, I was crushed when Watson lost last year's British. Honestly, I have teams in other sports that I root for and get disappointed when they lose, but that was one of the worst feelings I've had from a sports event in a LONG time. It felt like someone ran over my dog or something. Really, last year in golf could have been the most incredible year for the majors:

Masters: Kenny Perry loses to Angel Cabrerra -- always liked Kenny Perry
U.S. Open: Mickelson & Duval loses to Lucas Glover -- Duval would have been sweet
British Open: Tom Watson loses to Stewart Cink -- ugh
PGA Championship: Woods loses to Y.E. Yang -- not as big as the others, but it is Tiger and he's chasing Jack

We went from amazing story lines to maybe the most nondescript group of champions in a single year. Anyways, I don't hate Cink, but EVERY time I see him, I think of Watson and that British Open (WHY DIDN'T HE CHIP THE BALL?!?!).

[jamo]

I know it's irrational, but I sort of feel the same way as the OP. I always rooted for Cink and hoped he'd win a major, but I was definitely rooting more for Watson. Now that he has won a major he is sort of "eh" to me.

[Weezy]

I understand that for team sports, but not for golfers. Every golfer is against the whole field, so it doesn't make as much sense to pick one guy out as "the enemy." During a particular tournament, I can almost understand rooting against others for that week, but no way would I hold a grudge against someone for doing their best out there. That's what I want.

Had cink not made that huge putt, that he couldn't make again if he had a bucket of chances, and tied watson and instead watson had just blown it then noone would care that he won. But he made that putt and put the pressure on those 60 some odd year nerves and caused him to falter on the last hole amd then it was just cink and watson mono e mono. That is the situation and i knew immediately people would hate cink for it and to be honest i think had cink thought that he would have a chance at another major he would have maybe tried to blow it. Simply because his win is kind of like micheal waltrips daytona win when earnhardt was killed, noone wants to win in that kind of situation, it just sucks all the glory out of it. It felt very much like a funeral after and even during the trophy presentation. Imagine some relative nobody coming out and swiping the 86 masters from Jack, that is the basic premise is that watson had it won and cink basically stole it with a miraculous putt, had tiger or phil or someone of note done it, or watson just collapsed then it wouldnt have stung as much. Unfair as that is.

[Plox]

TW ripped his iron off the tee on the closing hole, which made me think it was in the bag. If he would have scabbed his second shot short, it probably would have rolled up to about 20/25 feet away; instead, he ripped his second shot over the back. Like someone else said, I've been disappointed rooting for people in the past but this was gutting. Two perfectly struck iron shots on the last didn't deserve that. gahhhh.

[Fatphil]

I walked into a pub after playing golf at Carnoustie,,,forgot to take off my hat...my caddie came up to me and said "take off your f..kin hat". That made an impression on me. They take the hat very seriously...Which brings me back to Cink on the winnners stand wearing his ridiculous green Nike cap while the others were all hat less.

Was he a corporate tool or just stupid? I personally think he's stupid..

[wannabe]

Stewart's win had the opposite effect on me. I came to respect him much more after that win, and now he's one of the top 10 guys I follow. Even got to meet him at the President's cup - really nice to me.

Golf is an unforgiving sport, full of heartbreaking 'nearly wins'. But on the other side of that coin is 'surprise wins'. I'm reminded of Kenny Perry's near win at Augusta, and Angel Cabrera's eventual playoff win.

[Weezy]

Why do they care about your hat. This is why traditions that don't make any sense need to just die out.

[Fatphil]

Why do they care about your hat. This is why traditions that don't make any sense need to just die out.

Interesting point of view. I disagree, but heh wtf maybe I'm just old.

[holeinon3]

Why do they care about your hat. This is why traditions that don't make any sense need to just die out.

Yeah I don't get why pro's take off their hats to shake hands at the end of a round, I don't do that. I think it looks silly, especially when they have ridiculous tan lines and when they fumble around with their sunglasses that were on top of the hat.

[Clambake]

Yeah I don't get why pro's take off their hats to shake hands at the end of a round, I don't do that. I think it looks silly, especially when they have ridiculous tan lines and when they fumble around with their sunglasses that were on top of the hat.

Why? Because it is a time-honored symbol of respect. You've heard the expression said of someone who has done something hard or noble that "you've got to take your hat off to the guy"? That's what it is about. A handshake is also a long tradition of respect and sportsmanship - do you want to stomp that out as well? Perhaps it would be better after a round for players to just glare at each other, fart a couple times, and stomp off grunting.

I like that there are still some vestiges of society that show respect and honor in sporting and social situations. I like that golf is still a game of respect and honor, right up through congratulating your opponent after the round.

[Stretch]

Why do they care about your hat. This is why traditions that don't make any sense need to just die out.

It doesn't make sense to take your hat off when you go indoors? OK then.

[jamo]

I don't particularly like the taking off of hats to hand shake and for going inside, but when I shake hands I always take my hat off. If I'm just going into the pro shop I leave it on, but if I'm going to a restaurant I always take it off. It's more respectful.

[Williamevanl]

Why? Because it is a time-honored symbol of respect. You've heard the expression said of someone who has done something hard or noble that "you've got to take your hat off to the guy"? That's what it is about. A handshake is also a long tradition of respect and sportsmanship - do you want to stomp that out as well? Perhaps it would be better after a round for players to

^I found this hilarious.