Stewart Cink won the 2026 Regions Tradition on a gorgeous Sunday in May. It was a homecoming of sorts.
Regions Birmingham Market President Christian White stood at the podium as Cink accepted the champion’s trophy. White thanked the crowds, Greystone Golf & Country Club, and many others as he congratulated the Alabama-native and Bradshaw High School alum on his win.
Then he threw in that he’d played in last year’s Regions Tradition Pro-Am with Cink and remarked how he’d been struck by him: as warm, personable and generous – an exceptional golfer.
If the rest of the PGA TOUR Champions hadn’t already figured that out, they will definitely start now.
With his victory on Sunday, Cink closed with a composed 3‑under‑par 69 to secure a three‑shot victory. Cink entered Sunday with a three‑shot lead but admitted that it wasn’t easy.
“Every shot felt like work,” he said. “The golf course made us earn it.”
Every shot felt like work. The golf course made us earn it.
Stewart Cink
As all greats seem to do, he was making it look easy and cruising to a win even as previous champions at the Tradition and hall of famers trailed right behind him, gaining strokes on the back nine. But key birdies on holes 11 and 12 reasserted Cink’s control and powered his finish to an 18‑under 270 for the week.
For the final leaderboard, Scott Hend finished second after a closing 65, while Colin Montgomerie placed third.
The win at the Regions Tradition gave Cink two major victories this year and solidified his place atop the 2026 standings for top golfer on the Champions Tour. The top golfer on the 2025 Champions tour last year demurred when asked how he felt about winning a second major this year and winning it in his home state.
“I could get used to this,” he said.