Turnberry (Scotland), July 20 (DPA) Stewart Cink defeated fellow American Tom Watson in a play-off Sunday to win the 138th British Open at Turnberry.

Both players finished tied on 2-under after 72 holes but Cink proved far the stronger over the four play-off holes to win the first major of his career.

Watson came close though, missing a four-metre putt on the last for par that would have seen the 59-year-old card a 72 and win the Claret Jug for a sixth time.

Cink, meanwhile, sank a long-range putt for birdie on the same hole to register a 69 and set up a two-man battle with Watson over 5, 6, 17 and 18.

Despite the full backing of a partisan crowd at the Ayrshire course, the extra holes took their toll on Watson as Cink, who has recorded only two top-10 finishes this year, eased to victory.

Although both players sent their second shots into bunkers on the opening par-4 fifth play-off hole, the world number 33 managed to salvage a par to go one shot clear as Watson's long-range par putt came up short.