Maybe the driver is Stewart Cink’s best club
Stewart Cink plays his shot from the first tee during the first round of the Sony Open in Honolulu.
A handful of golf fans were standing just below the tee box at No. 9 on the South Course, waiting for a shuttle ride back to the entrance after watching Wednesday’s Farmers Insurance Open pro-am at Torrey Pines.
They flagged down a ride from a driver who bore a striking resemblance to golfer Stewart Cink.
“It’s a Stewart Cink look-alike,” said one of the riders.
Better than that — it was Stewart Cink.
“How’d they rope you into this?” one woman asked as she took a seat behind the driver.
“It’s just part of my job, ma’am,” deadpanned Cink before adding, “Next stop, Gliderport.”
The free shuttles are sponsored by TaylorMade and being provided by a company called the Free Ride. Cink was helping promote the service for TaylorMade, which is one of his sponsors.
Cink avoided the cart path during one stretch on the South. This was one occasion in which he didn’t mind driving into the rough.
“I haven’t wrecked one of these yet,” Cink said earlier, before confessing, “I haven’t driven one, either.”
The experience will benefit Cink if he ever decides to drive for Uber. “It’s definitely going on the resume,” he said.
Cink’s passengers were dropped off at the Gliderport entrance safe and sound. He then obliged them with photos and autographs, prompting a concession stand worker to walk up and say: “We’re seeing everybody take your picture. Who the hell are you?”
Cink could have responded, “The winner of the 2009 British Open. Who are you?”
He was much more polite, however, signing autographs for the concession stand crew before finishing his route.
Don’t quit your day job
A new Farmers Insurance commercial that includes Rickie Fowler debuts this week during TV coverage of the tournament.
The spot was previewed Wednesday in the media tent during Fowler’s news conference. Fowler is featured with Oscar-winning actor J.K. Simmons, who plays Professor Burke in the 30-second ad titled “Romantic Rodent.”
A reporter teased Fowler right after the commercial ended, saying, “You had one line?”
“Hey, that’s one more line than you, Steve,” Fowler shot back to a roar of laughter. “I’m a golfer, not an actor. I feel like I delivered my line just fine.”
Day under the weather
Defending champion Jason Day withdrew from Wednesday’s pro-am because of flu symptoms. A scheduled news conference with Day also was canceled.
As of Wednesday evening, there was no indication that Day wouldn’t compete in the tournament. He is paired with J.B. Holmes and Harris English for the first two rounds. They are scheduled to tee off on No. 10 on the North Course at 9:20 a.m.
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
