NEWPORT BEACH — Stewart Cink is in sync, and that’s not up for debate.
Cink continued his dominance of the PGA Tour Champions in winning Sunday’s Hoag Classic by four strokes, shooting a five-under par 66 to finish at a 19-under 194 for the three-day event.
Zach Johnson (65) and Ernie Els (67) tied for second place.
Cink, the circuit’s reigning player of the year, earned his second title in the year’s four events.
After eight PGA Tour victories, Cink, 52, has won six tournaments on the Champions since joining last year. For his efforts at the Newport Beach Country Club, Cink collected $330,000.
”Kept my foot on the pedal,” Cink said. “We played very aggressively, but we choose targets that are very smart and efficient. Not reckless.”
Following a tie for second at last year’s Hoag, Cink sealed the deal with a steady driver and precise, but not outlandish, shot-making that produced six birdies.
Save his lone bogey on No. 12, he navigated the course as if playing with his weekend pals, instead of a field that featured seven World Golf Hall of Fame members.
Among them was Bernhard Langer, 68, who shot better than his age all three rounds. But he was no match for Cink as he finished tied for seventh after his 66.
“Doesn’t surprise me,” said Langer, a two-time Masters champion. “He’s the longest guy out here, together with Padraig (Harrington) maybe. He’s playing well, and you’ve got to putt well (he got the confidence going. He’s a great player, a major champion.”
Added Els, another Hall of Famer: “Anybody that can hit it far, you’re going to have fun here. He’s a force out here right now.”
After stiff-arming challengers on the front 9, Cink played free and easy. Considering his recent success, it’s not surprising Cink’s swagger matches his consistent play. He won the season-opener in Hawaii, tied for second in Florida and last week, tied for sixth in Arizona.
”I feel like I’m playing better and have more control over my ball than I’ve ever had,” Cink, 52, said. “When I was even in the top-10 in the world rankings for a long time, I didn’t even drive it like I’ve driven it the last six, seven months.
”I have so much more command over my driver than I’ve ever had. I didn’t have that when I played on the PGA Tour. I was always kind of like, ‘Oh boy, where’s this one going?’ But not right now.”
After finishing Saturday’s round with an albatross from 205 yards on the par 5, No. 18, for a 62, he entered Sunday with a two-shot bulge over Steven Alker and Freddie Jacobson.
You bet Cink kept tabs on those in pursuit.
“I was paying attention to what the scores were like so I knew what I needed to do,” Cink said. “I was very aware of where I stood. But I didn’t have to change anything because I got enough of a lead where I just stuck to the game plan we had.”
When Cink reached the turn, he had maintained that edge over Els and was three clear of Charlie Wi, Langer, and Jacobson.
Langer keenly broke from the gate to get in the mix thanks to a 30 on the first nine, with five birdies.
Wi birdied holes 13 and 15 to get to 14-under, two strokes shy of Cink. But when it seemed Cink might falter, he didn’t fizzle.
Instead, one day after a walk-off albatross, he enjoyed a stress-free stroll up No. 18, en route to the trophy presentation.
”I’ve left no stone unturned,” Cink said, “just for this type of moment.”