Stewart Cink claimed his first PGA TOUR Champions title in style, cruising to a four-stroke victory at The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren. Held at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc, Michigan, the event saw Cink finish with a bogey-free round of 6-under 66, matching his Saturday performance. His 54-hole total of 17-under 199 tied the tournament record set by Joe Durant in 2021.
Cink's dominance was evident as he led from the start, with a three-shot advantage heading into Sunday. He maintained his momentum, responding to an early challenge from K.J. Choi, who birdied three of his first four holes. Cink, however, responded with birdies of his own, reclaiming his lead and pulling ahead with strong play on the back nine. His victory not only brought him the $330,000 winner's purse but also moved him to 19th in the Charles Schwab Cup standings.
While Cink's win was the main highlight, the event also marked a poignant moment for Michigan native Tom Gillis. Gillis, who tied for 10th, announced that The Ally Challenge would be his final competitive appearance on the PGA TOUR Champions. Gillis, 56, has had a long and varied career, starting with his debut at the Buick Open over three decades ago. His decision to step away from competition brings an end to a career marked by resilience and local pride.
Stewart Cink's performance at Warwick Hills, coupled with Gillis' farewell, made The Ally Challenge a memorable event for Michigan golf fans. With his victory, Cink has firmly established himself as a contender in the over-50 circuit, signaling that there may be more wins to come as he embraces this new chapter of his golfing career.
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