Stewart Cink finds that his on-course results affected by company he keeps

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – Stewart Cink hasn't won a tournament in more than five years dating to his British Open title at Turnberry. But he hasn't lost perspective on a game that takes far more than it gives. 

 

"You know what you can do," he said. "And when you're continually not doing it, it's easy to get down on yourself. But you've got to realize you're not the only one who has a rough day or a rough hole. A lot of times you can feel like an island out there." 

 

That led to a query – is it better to spend time around those who are struggling or those who are succeeding. 

 

"It's dangerously easy to hang out with the strugglers," he said. "You want to commiserate, but it's easy to spiral. There are plenty of guys out here who will tell you about struggles. You want names? Everybody who's ever started in a PGA Tour event." 

 

Cink has gone 30 straight events since his last top 10 – the AT&T National in 2013 – though he doesn't lack for motivation. And while he finished just outside the top 30 in his two starts this year, he is seeing enough good signs. He opened with a 64 in Las Vegas and shot a 63 in the third round at Sea Island. 

 

"When you see good scores come out early in the season, it leads to a confident attitude," he said. "You come out with a different set of goals. And I've always felt if you're making a lot of birdies, it's easier to iron out mistakes than to try to make birdies out of nothing."