It’s been nearly four years since Stewart Cink last tasted success when he defeated crowd favourite Tom Watson to capture the 2009 Open Championship at Turnberry.

But while the Atlanta golfer, who turns 40 on the 21st May, has never forgotten how to win he’s had 81 starts since becoming a major champion, and missed the halfway in 30 % of those events.

Stewart Cink wearing a green sock and a red sock in recognition of the charity work of former Texas-born US President, George Bush. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

So much so Cink’s currently ranked 272nd in the World Rankings.

However Cink, wearing a green and a red sock on the third day of the Shell Houston Open to recognise the charity fund raising efforts of former US President George Bush, is now just 18 holes away from lifting the gleaming crystal trophy after posting a 4-under 68, giving him a share of the lead with fellow American Bill Haas.

“Tomorrow is a great learning opportunity for me to get out there and be nervous and perform and try and to stay in the moment and let it happen,” said Cink.

“But whether you’re five shots back or tied for the lead or whatever, you’re still got the juices flowing, no doubt about it.  When you’re in contention for a win or just a really good finish.

“I think if anybody out here says they’re not nervous when they’re five shots back or they’re in second place or sharing the lead, they’re lying, they’re lying

“I’ll be nervous and I definitely will not be ignoring the fact that I’ll feel a little bit nervous tomrrow, but that’s just a natural human behaviour and I’m looking forward to it.

“Just to get back in the hunt is what you play golf for when you’re out on your own on the PGA Tour.  It’s a lot of fun and hard work, but I can’t wait.”

Texas-native Haas, the co-leader after 36 holes at Bay Hill last week, made seven birdies over his last 13 holes for a 67 and joined Cink at 11-under par for a 36-hole 205 total.

But then there’s just four shots seperating the leading 20 players.

“Tomorrow you’re going to have to play very well,” said Haas.  “You can’t just hang on and hope everybody else will fall back.”

Among those 20 players lying with four shots of the lead is the Major winning trio of American Keegan Bradley, Argentina’s Angel Cabrera and Springbok Louis Oosthuizen.

And you also can’t discount England’s Lee Westwood who is looking to become only the second European behind Paul Casey in 2006 to win the 66th Shell Houston Open.