( CNN ) -- U.S. golfer Stewart Cink has promised a `` fiercely competitive '' defense of his British Open title at St Andrews next week . Cink , the world number 34 , was a surprise winner of the Claret Jug last season , beating veteran Tom Watson in a play-off to land his first major title . The British Open will celebrate its 150th anniversary at the sport 's spiritual home in Scotland when the event gets underway on Thursday , July 15 . `` St. Andrews will be special , '' Cink told CNN 's Living Golf . `` Obviously it will be my third Open that I 've played there . I just have so much respect for it , the way it has developed over the years and it 's [ ... ] amazing that it 's remained this good for this long . `` It will also be a time to be fiercely competitive because I really do n't want to give that up again . '' A year ago at Turnberry , Cink finished level with five-time champion Watson on two under par , before storming to a six-shot victory in the four-hole play-off . Ranked 33 at the time and with only one previous top-10 finish at the championship , Cink says he was inspired by fellow American Lucas Glover , who shocked better-known rivals to land the U.S. Open title last year . `` I looked back and thought , well , if Lucas Glover can win the U.S. Open then why ca n't I win a major ? What 's stopping me ? `` At the end of a major championship , there 's always one guy that just seems to have the poise to come and step through the threshold -- that was me that Sunday . It was humbling and satisfying . '' Cink will playing at a St Andrews Open for the third time and thinks he knows the secret to success on the Old Course . `` You need to avoid the bunkers , that 's the main thing '' he said . `` It 's probably got the most severe set of bunkers of any Open venue . You really have to position your second shots . '' While Watson will be making another bid for his sixth title at St Andrews , another of the sport 's legends wo n't be there . Australia 's Greg Norman , the 1986 and 1993 winner , has pulled out of the tournament because of a shoulder injury . The 53-year-old , who finished joint third at Royal Birkdale in the 2008 Open , has not played an event since undergoing shoulder surgery in September . `` I 'm disappointed that I will not be able to participate in this year 's Open Championship , but unfortunately , it is taking me longer than expected to regain my competitive form , '' Norman told the Open 's official website . Norman has been replaced in the field by his fellow Australian Jason Day , who won the Byron Nelson Championship in May at the age of 22 .
Stewart Cink promises ` ` fiercely competitive '' British Open defense at St Andrews . Cink says he was inspired by Lucas Glover in 2009 to success . The Open will celebrate its 150th anniversary at the heart of golf next week . Two - time winner Greg Norman pulls out of play with a back injury .