Stewart Cink has won his first major championship by defeating Tom Watson in a four-hole play-off at the Open.

The American pair finished the 72 holes at Turnberry on two-under-par 278, with Watson bogeying the last for a 72 and Cink closing with a 69. At 59, Watson was aiming to become the oldest player to win a major. The five-time Open winner, who last won the Claret Jug 26 years ago, missed an eight-foot putt on the 18th for the championship.

After playing superbly for the four days, Watson bogeyed the first play-off hole before his game fell apart at the third, the par-five 17th. An errant tee shot, two whacks to get out of the rough, and three putts left him with a double-bogey seven. Cink, 36, finished with a birdie to win the play-off by six shots.

Chris Wood and Lee Westwood, both of England, finished one shot behind the Americans in joint-third. Ross Fisher, the Englishman whose wife was due to go into labour during the tournament, led by two shots after birdies at the first two holes but took eight at the fifth and finished tied for 13th.

Times Archive 1977 Duel in the sun

Tom Watson beats Jack Nicklaus at Turnberry in thrilling climax to the Open

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Cink paid tribute to Watson's performance. "It was extraordinary," he said. "It just tips the iceberg. It has been a a surreal experience for me, playing a wonderful tournament on a wonderful course against Tom Watson. I grew up watching him. He has turned back the clock. I feel so happy just to have been a part of it, never mind having won."

Cink identified the 15-foot putt he holed on the 72nd hole as his most important shot of the week. "It will be the most crucial putt ever struck in my life," he said. "I hope there will be some more. It was just the sweetest moment."

He added: "I've not had the best year but, just before the tournament, I found something in my swing that let me hit the right shot a lot and my putting was right on target all week."