Veteran Golfer Cink Praises Stableford Scoring at Mitsubishi Electric Classic

The PGA Tour Champions event in Georgia is experimenting with an alternative scoring format.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:41am

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A fragmented, geometric painting in shades of green, tan, and blue, conceptually representing the complex dynamics of a professional golf tournament.A cubist interpretation of the strategic decision-making and competitive energy of a professional golf tournament.Duluth Today

The Mitsubishi Electric Classic, a PGA Tour Champions event held in Duluth, Georgia, will feature a Stableford scoring format this year, a change from the traditional stroke play. Veteran golfer Stewart Cink has voiced his support for the new format, which awards points based on the number of strokes taken on each hole rather than just counting the total number of strokes.

Why it matters

The Stableford format is designed to encourage more aggressive play and minimize the impact of a few bad holes. This could make the tournament more exciting for fans and provide a fresh challenge for the players. As one of the most recognizable names on the PGA Tour Champions, Cink's endorsement of the format change carries significant weight.

The details

The Stableford scoring system awards points based on the number of strokes taken on each hole: 8 points for a double eagle, 5 points for an eagle, 2 points for a birdie, 0 points for par, -1 point for a bogey, and -3 points for a double bogey or worse. This contrasts with traditional stroke play, where the total number of strokes is the sole determinant of a player's score.

  • The Mitsubishi Electric Classic will take place from April 18-20, 2026.

The players

Stewart Cink

A veteran PGA Tour player who has won 7 PGA Tour events, including the 2009 Open Championship.

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What they’re saying

“The Stableford format really rewards aggressive play and minimizes the impact of a few bad holes. I think it's going to make for a more exciting tournament for the fans to watch.”

— Stewart Cink, PGA Tour Champions Player

What’s next

The Mitsubishi Electric Classic will be the first PGA Tour Champions event to use the Stableford scoring format. It remains to be seen how the players will adapt to the new system and whether it will be adopted by other tournaments on the tour.

The takeaway

The Stableford format represents an innovative approach to tournament scoring that could inject more excitement and strategy into professional golf events. Stewart Cink's endorsement of the format change at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic suggests it may be a sign of things to come on the PGA Tour Champions circuit.