The American was one shot behind going into the final round at Concession Golf Club in Florida, but removed all drama with a remarkable run to close with a nine-under 63 on Sunday (Monday AEST).

It started with an eagle on the par-5 seventh. He closed out the front nine with back-to-back birdies to seize control,  then poured it on with a 35-foot birdie putt up the slope for birdie on the par-3 11th.

He was five-under over that five-hole stretch, then it was a matter of everyone else playing for second. Cink added an up-and-down birdie on the par-5 13th, then rolled in an 18-foot birdie on the 14th.

Ben Crane closed with a 68 to finish alone in second in his Senior PGA Championship debut.

South Africa's Keith Horne, who began the final round with a one-shot lead, couldn't keep up with Cink, carding a three-over 75 to finish in a tie for fifth at eight under.

Cink, who won the 2009 Open Championship in a playoff over Tom Watson, has yet to have a round over par in his 16 rounds on the PGA Tour Champions. Along with his three victories this season, he has a runner-up finish, with his worst result a tie for sixth.

He finished 19 under 269, missing by one shot the record-to-par of 20 under set by Sam Snead in the 1973 Senior PGA Championship at PGA National.

Australians Scott Hend and Steve Allan each closed with a 71 and tied for third.