For Better Or Worse

At last count, Cink had 1.17 million followers. His wry observations, good-natured humor, behind-the-scenes reports and unflagging reader interactions made him golf's first Twitter phenomenon. As he signed autographs after missing the cut at Harbour Town, one fan held out a familiar photograph of Cink in his lime-green shirt holding the claret jug. "That never gets old," Cink said.

He was about to make the 4½-hour drive home to Atlanta. "Just me and my thoughts," Cink said, but his attitude was unwavering. "I never thought it was going to be a snap," he added. "It's encouraging at times and discouraging at times, like right now. I knew it would be. But I know I'm on the right path."

As he signed one last program behind the 18th green, two boats on Calibogue Sound revved up and sped toward the late afternoon sun. Their wakes churned white and made a series of waves that spread quickly. In less than a minute, the waters smoothed over and rippled gently in the breeze. By then, Cink was gone.