Former Open champion Stewart Cink opens up on his wife's new cancer scare

Former Open champion Stewart Cink tees it up at the Open after revealing his wife's cancer fight has been hit by a new "scare".

American ace Cink won the 2009 Open at Turnberry to deny Tom Watson a fairy-tale win.

The star has had plenty of challenges since after his wife Lisa was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016.

Now Cink and his family, including son Reagan who is his caddie, have just learned about a potential set-back.

Cink, 48, told The Mirror: "She is in the middle of a little period of uncertainty right now that we just learned about last week.

"We are praying and trying to stay focused on the good things.

"We will know more in about two months.

"She is not going to be out of the woods for really the rest of her life.

"Hopefully this is just a little scare and we will know more in about two months.

"But for now she is doing well and we have a lot of faith and confidence in her medical team."

Cink was unheralded when he triumphed in Ayrshire in a play-off against popular five-time Open winner Watson.

Watson, at 59 a 1500-1 shot to lift the Claret Jug, led going into the final round and had an eight-foot par putt at the last to become the oldest Major winner.

But he missed and lost to Cink in a four-hole play-off.

Now veteran Cink is back in the UK in decent form after two wins this season on the PGA Tour at the Safeway Open and more recently the RBC Heritage in April.

While Lisa was well, Cink increased his scheduled and was enjoying his golf more than ever.

He added: "It is definitely special coming back as a former champ.

"But it was always special coming before that too.

"I think it is great to compete in this Championship on these links courses.

"It is so different, fun and challenging.

"To win was like a cherry on a top - it feels like yesterday.

"It means everything to me.

"This season I have two wins in kind of a resurgence at my late age.

"Now my son Reagan is caddying this season and it is awesome.

"We are having a great time.

"It is the most fun I have had playing in my career.

"He has caddied this whole season but it is his first Open."