Big Play

WHO
Stewart Cink

WHAT
30-yard pitch to set up the winning three-foot birdie putt

WHERE
296-yard par-4 15th hole at TPC River Highlands

WHEN
Final round of the Travelers

WHY
With Tiger Woods out of action, Cink is my pick to become the leader of the U.S. Ryder Cup team. Second to Woods in the points standings, Cink employs a swing that's stronger than ever and he grew up in the South, so he's at home on the gnarly bluegrass rough at Valhalla. Also, Cink, who has a solid 11-9-5 record in Ryder and Presidents Cups, is teeming with confidence, especially in his short game, as he showed with flawless lag putts and pitches on Sunday.

JOHN'S TIP
Make a Point of Hitting Solid Chips

On running shots around the green, hit down with a delayed right-wrist release. To get the feel of the shot, hold the club in your right hand, with your index finger pointing down the grip and your other hand behind your back. When you hit, take a small divot and finish with your index finger pointing back at the divot. You should feel stress in the right forearm and wrist.

John Elliott teaches at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in West Chicago, Ill.

... AND ANOTHER THING

"Tiger missing the Ryder Cup is a dream for the U.S. Our guys will feel liberated, and I think they'll now have a fighting chance."

GOLF MAGAZINE TOP 100 TEACHERS POLL

Should Tiger Woods change his swing again to relieve the pressure on his left knee?

Yes 62%

No 38%

"If he doesn't change, there'll be no knee to post on and his nickname will be Stumpy."
—JANE FROST, SANDWICH HOLLOWS

PHOTO

COURTESY OF CBS (CINK)

PHOTO

ERICK W. RASCO (BACKGROUND)

TWO PHOTOS

ERICK W. RASCO (ELLIOTT)

PHOTO

JOHN BIEVER (WOODS)