Payne Stewart’s US Open win was one of the most memorable in the tournament’s history.
Stewart was at the top of his game in 1999.
At Pinehurst in North Carolina, the United States golfer drained a brilliant 15-foot put on the final hole to avoid a playoff and edge Phil Mickelson by one stroke.
“All I wanted to do was give myself a chance,” said Stewart said, while holding back tears. “I never gave up. I got the job done.”
A year before, he had lost a four-stroke lead in the same prestigious tournament.
During the first US Open at Pinehurst, Stewart persevered and then enjoyed a celebration for the ages, fist-pumping after his huge final putt softly rolled in.
“When I looked up, it was about 2 feet away from the hole and breaking right into the center of the cup,” Stewart said. “I couldn’t believe my eyes. I couldn’t believe I had accomplished my dream.”
His iconic outfits also drew a lot of eyes.
Long before Rickie Fowler sported bright colors or Jason Day wore outlandish clothing that either wowed or annoyed golf fans, Stewart was the king of old-school gear, despite being born in Missouri and attending SMU in Dallas.
Stewart decided to dress as a true individual after arriving at a tournament early in his career and finding out he was dressed the same as another golfer.
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As a result, Stewart listened to the advice of his traveling-salesman father and began dressing differently so he would stand out in a crowd.
Knickers, long socks and a tam followed, as did Stewart publicly embracing his unique personality.
At Pinehurst, Stewart went all-in on US red, white and blue.
He also cut off the sleeves of his rain jacket to produce a new waterproof “vest.”
Stewart became unstoppable at the 1999 US Open, and he had the wardrobe to back up his power on the course.
“As soon as Payne hit that ball on 17, that was the first time I realized he could beat me,” Mickelson said. “I realized that par might not be good enough.”
Stewart was incredible at Pinehurst in 1999, producing a win and celebration for the ages.
Tragically, his life ended just four months later.
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While flying to Dallas on a chartered Learjet, Stewart and five others died in a plane crash.
The private jet crashed in South Dakota after the cabin depressurized, killing everyone on board by hypoxia.
“He was taken from us way too early,” said Mike Hicks, Stewart’s longtime caddie.
A statue of a fist-pumping Stewart now stands at Pinehurst.
The 2024 US Open is set for June 13-16.
Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Tiger Woods are expected to play.