Colorado Springs, CO, June 30, 2025Ā ā The golfing world is reeling afterĀ Stewart Cink, runner-up at theĀ 2025 U.S. Senior Open, dropped a bombshell accusation against championĀ Padraig Harrington, claiming the Irishman used unfair tactics to secure his one-shot victory atĀ Broadmoor Golf Club. The explosive allegation, made just minutes ago in a post-tournament press conference, has ignited a firestorm, threatening to overshadow Harringtonās second U.S. Senior Open title and reignite debates about integrity in golf.

The Accusation That Stunned the Golf World
Moments after Harrington sealed his victory with a 3-under 67, finishing at -11 (209) to edge Cinkās -10 (210), the 52-year-old American took to the microphone with a grave expression. Cink, visibly frustrated after a final round that saw five lead changes and three ties, pointed to Harringtonās controversial chip-in on the 18th hole in the third round as suspicious.
āI hate to say this, but something felt off,ā Cink said, his voice measured but firm. āThat chip-in on 18 yesterdayāitās too perfect, too convenient. Iāve heard whispers about possible tampering with the lie or unauthorized tech aiding his precision. The USGA needs to look into this.ā

Cinkās accusation centers on Harringtonās dramatic chip-in from 20 yards off the green on the 18th hole during Saturdayās third round, which tied him with Cink and Mark Hensby at -8, securing his spot in the final group. Sources on X suggest Cink believes Harrington may have manipulated the ballās lie in the rough or used a prohibited device to enhance his short-game accuracy, violatingĀ USGA Rule 4.3Ā (Use of Equipment).
Harringtonās Triumph Under Scrutiny
Harrington, 53, clinched his second U.S. Senior Open title in four years with a steady final round, closing with seven straight pars after a 12-foot birdie on the par-4 11th. His aggressive approach on the 18th fairway Sundayāknocking his shot to 8 feet while Cinkās spun back to 35 feetāsealed a two-putt par and the victory. The Irishman, whose trophy case includes the 2007 and 2008 British Opens and the 2008 PGA Championship, celebrated the win as a āvalidation of past glories.ā
In response to Cinkās allegations, Harrington appeared stunned but composed. āI played my heart out, fair and square,ā he said. āThat chip-in was skill and a bit of luck, nothing more. Stewartās a friend, and Iām disappointed heād question my integrity without evidence.ā Harringtonās caddie, Ronan Flood, added, āPaddyās bag was checked daily. This is nonsense from a sore loser.ā
USGAās Immediate Response
TheĀ USGA, responsible for enforcing the Rules of Golf, issued a statement minutes ago: āWe are aware of the allegations made by Stewart Cink regarding Padraig Harringtonās conduct. The USGA takes such claims seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation to ensure the integrity of the championship.ā
Officials are reportedly reviewing video footage of Harringtonās third-round chip-in and inspecting his equipment for any signs of non-conforming aids. The investigation could focus on whether Harrington altered the lie of his ball in the rough (a breach ofĀ Rule 8.1) or used a device providing real-time swing data, which is banned underĀ Rule 4.3. A confirmed violation could lead to retroactive disqualification, stripping Harrington of the $800,000 prize and a 2026 U.S. Open exemption.
A Rivalry Turned Bitter
Harrington and Cink, who played together all four rounds, have a history of mutual respect. In 2019, Harrington called Cink his āideal playing partner,ā and Cink praised their ācomfortable pairingā during the tournament. Their close bond made Cinkās accusation all the more shocking. Sources on X note that Cinkās frustration may stem from missed opportunitiesāparticularly two putts inside 6 feet on holes 16 and 17 that could have tied the leadācompounded by the pressure of Harringtonās clutch play.
Cink, the 2009 British Open champion, expressed disappointment: āI hit 64 greens in regulation, more than anyone, but itās the putts that matter. I just wanted a fair fight.ā Some fans on X speculate that Cinkās comments reflect bitterness over losing a second Major title to Harrington, who also won the 2022 U.S. Senior Open.
The Fieldās Reaction and Fan Divide
The accusation has split the golf community.Ā Miguel Angel Jimenez, who shot a tournament-best 6-under 64 to finish third at -9, dismissed the claims: āWeāre human, we make great shots. Paddyās chip was brilliant, not cheating.āĀ Mark Hensby, who tied for fourth at -5, declined to comment, saying, āLet the USGA handle it.ā
On X, fans are polarized. Supporters of Harrington argue, āCinkās just salty he choked on those putts. Paddyās a legend, no way heād cheat!ā Others back Cink, with posts like, āIf Stewartās speaking out, thereās gotta be something to it. USGA better check the tapes.ā The controversy has trended globally, with #HarringtonCheating and #CinkAccuses spiking.
Whatās Next?
As the USGA investigates, the golf world awaits answers. A confirmed violation could tarnish Harringtonās legacy and award the title to Cink, while a clean ruling might damage Cinkās reputation for making unsubstantiated claims. The Broadmoorās tricky greens, described byĀ Justin LeonardĀ as āon par with Augusta National,ā already made this a dramatic championship, but this scandal elevates it to historic levels.
Follow live updates onĀ usga.orgĀ or watch coverage onĀ MyTV (SPOTV/SPOTV2)Ā in Vietnam. Stay tuned as this explosive story unfolds at the 2025 U.S. Senior Open!