Stewart Cink's walk-off double eagle puts him in lead at Hoag Classic

The 52-year-old British Open champion holed out from 205 yards away on the 18th hole on Saturday.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:24am

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Stewart Cink, the 52-year-old British Open champion, hit a remarkable walk-off double eagle on the 18th hole at the Hoag Classic in Newport Beach, California on Saturday. Cink's shot from 205 yards out landed on the edge of the green and rolled into the hole, sending the crowd into a frenzy and vaulting him into the overnight lead at 14-under par.

Why it matters

Cink's dramatic finish erased any lingering doubts from a three-putt bogey on the 16th hole and cemented his position atop the leaderboard heading into the final round. The last double eagle at the Hoag Classic was recorded in 2016, making Cink's feat an extremely rare occurrence in the PGA Tour Champions event.

The details

Cink hit a great drive on the 18th hole, leaving himself just a 6-iron shot to the green. He admitted he wasn't aiming directly at the flag, but the ball landed on the edge of the green and rolled in for the double eagle. Cink celebrated with the crowd, flexing and waving his hat as he walked onto the green, knowing he no longer had to hit another shot.

  • Cink's double eagle occurred on the 18th hole on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

The players

Stewart Cink

A 52-year-old professional golfer who won the British Open in 2009 for his only major title. He is the overnight leader at the Hoag Classic after his dramatic walk-off double eagle on the 18th hole.

Freddie Jacobson

A Swedish professional golfer who is two strokes back of Cink at 12-under par after a round of six birdies and one bogey on Saturday.

Steven Alker

A professional golfer from New Zealand who is also two strokes back of Cink at 12-under par. Alker won the Cologuard Classic last week in Tucson, Arizona.

Ernie Els

A two-time champion of the Hoag Classic who is currently tied for fifth at 11-under par.

Tim Petrovic

A professional golfer who is also tied for fifth at 11-under par after the third round.

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What they’re saying

“It was a heck of a walk-off. I hit a great drive. A hole like that, for this course, is a pretty wide fairway, and you just really want to eat up as much yardage as you can off the tee. That was as good as I can hit one. I left myself only a 6-iron to the green.”

— Stewart Cink

“Kind of had to work my way into the round a little bit. Kind of got it going towards the end of the front nine a bit and played pretty steady on the back nine. Balls just didn't quite drop on the back. Felt like I was hitting good putts. Happy about the day.”

— Freddie Jacobson

What’s next

Play resumes at 9:25 a.m. on Sunday for the final round of the Hoag Classic, with local favorite Fred Couples (-4) teeing off at the first hole.

The takeaway

Cink's dramatic double eagle on the 18th hole has set up an exciting final round at the Hoag Classic, with the veteran British Open champion looking to hold off a talented chasing pack led by Jacobson and Alker. The rare feat has energized the crowd and added an extra layer of drama to the tournament's conclusion.