Cink leads Champions tourney after albatross on 18

Veteran golfer Stewart Cink sinks a rare two-shot albatross on the final hole to take a two-shot lead at the Hoag Classic.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 6:35am

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Stewart Cink ended the Hoag Classic's second day with a flourish, scoring a two-shot albatross on the par-5 18th hole to take a two-shot lead at 14 under par. Cink nailed a great drive and then sank a 205-yard shot with his 6-iron, sparking a celebratory pose from the veteran golfer. Cink also had seven birdies and a single bogey in his round of 9-under 62, overshadowing a great day overall for the five-time Champions Tour winner.

Why it matters

Albatrosses, where a golfer scores three under par on a single hole, are extremely rare occurrences in professional golf. Cink's dramatic finish on the 18th hole not only gave him the lead heading into the final round, but also provided an exciting highlight for fans and a memorable moment in Cink's storied career.

The details

Cink nailed a great drive on the par-5 18th hole, then sank a 205-yard shot with his 6-iron for a rare two-shot albatross. The crowd reacted immediately, prompting Cink to pose and flex his muscles to celebrate the incredible shot that capped off his round of 9-under 62. In addition to the albatross, Cink had seven birdies and a single bogey.

  • Cink ended the Hoag Classic's second day with his albatross on the 18th hole.

The players

Stewart Cink

A veteran golfer and five-time Champions Tour winner who currently leads the Hoag Classic by two shots after an incredible albatross on the 18th hole.

Freddie Jacobson

A Swedish golfer who is tied for second place at 12 under par after shooting a 66 in the second round.

Steven Alker

A New Zealand golfer who is also tied for second place at 12 under par after shooting a 66 in the second round.

Ernie Els

A South African golfer who is tied for fourth place at 11 under par after shooting a 65 in the second round.

Tim Petrovic

An American golfer who is also tied for fourth place at 11 under par after shooting a 65 in the second round.

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What they’re saying

“It was a heck of a walk-off.”

— Stewart Cink

“That's not something we practice. That's a rare thing that happens. We try not to let the results matter, but when you get a result like that especially at the end of the day, I don't have to hit another shot, I can't mess up the next hole. So, that's a cool moment to have happen right there on the 18th hole with the crowd. This is a great crowd here.”

— Stewart Cink

“I love the course and I also love the area. It's beautiful. Tried to swing down by the ocean, we might be looking at hopefully some surfing on Monday. Try to sneak that in.”

— Freddie Jacobson

What’s next

Cink will look to maintain his two-shot lead in the final round of the Hoag Classic on Sunday.

The takeaway

Stewart Cink's incredible albatross on the 18th hole not only gave him the lead, but also provided an exciting highlight and memorable moment in his storied career. The rare feat overshadowed an already strong round that saw Cink card seven birdies, showcasing his continued excellence on the Champions Tour.