Celebrate Payne Stewart 66th birthday; USGA relives 1999 U.S. Open Pinehurst triumph

Three-time major champion Payne Stewart would have celebrated his 66th birthday on Tuesday, but it’s hard to imagine that 25 years have passed since his tragic death.

He was so full of life. He lived unapologetically and his immense passion for golf was passed on to his friends, family and philanthropy. The Payne Stewart Kids Golf Foundation continues to thrive and provide playing opportunities to young children across the country.

It’s no coincidence that one of the PGA Tour’s highest honors is named after Stewart.

The Payne Stewart Award is presented to the individual who best exemplifies Stewart’s character, philanthropy, and sportsmanship. At last year’s Tour Championship, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan presented former NBC commentator Gary Koch with the Payne Stewart Award for his contributions to golf on and off the course.

But as professional golf remains divided, we all need to see Stewart’s legacy as a lasting unifying force. In fact, if Stewart were still alive today, he would share the frustration of golf fans around the world.

“The world always needs characters that unite,” USGA senior historian Victoria Nenno told Playing Through in an exclusive interview.

“Time is limited to see the life of Payne Stewart, so you must take advantage of every moment and treat others the way you want to be remembered. Today could be your last day. ”

1999 US Open, Pinehurst No.2

2024 also marks the 25th anniversary of Stewart’s remarkable victory at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, the site of this year’s U.S. Championships.

To celebrate Stewart’s birthday and the upcoming U.S. Open, we decided to take a look back at one of the greatest moments in golf history: his 1999 win.

After missing his par putt on the high side on the par-3 15th hole, Stewart fell back to even par for the championship, but fellow playing partner Phil Mickelson held on to a one-stroke lead.

At the time, Stewart, 42, was a PGA Tour veteran. He won his 1989 PGA Championship and his 1991 U.S. Open at Hazeltine.

Mickelson, on the other hand, was still looking for his first major victory.

Adding to the drama, Tiger Woods was also aiming for his first U.S. Open victory, closing in on the group in front of him by one stroke. Vijay Singh was also present.

“There was an unbelievable crowd at Pinehurst that year, mostly rooting for Tiger Woods,” Nenno said.

“He’s an upstart, he’s a rising star on the PGA Tour, and everyone loves him. That’s why during Payne Stewart’s final round, you could always hear the cheers for Tiger in the front group.”

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The loudest cheer of the day came when Woods made an incredible birdie on the par-4 16th hole, then the longest hole in U.S. Open history. It was also one of the most difficult holes to date, as 4.5% of the field reached the green in the final round, as required.

Woods made a rare birdie on the 16th, making it even par with two strokes remaining, lining up with Stewart, who had returned to the tee box. However, Woods missed par 4 feet on the next hole, and his chances were all but over. He finished the tournament with one over and ended up tied for third place with Singh.

Returning to the 16th tee, Stewart hit his drive down the fairway and hit a 2-iron into the 489-yard par-4. But he mishit his 2-iron short and the ball landed in the fairway in front of the green. The difficult ups and downs continued.

Meanwhile, Mickelson hit the fairway, but also missed the green.

Stewart then chipped 25 feet past the hole and faced a tough double-break putt for par. Mickelson also faced a difficult par putt, but from about half that distance.

“I couldn’t even read it, let alone make it,” said Mike Hicks, Stewart’s caddy.

Despite long odds, Stewart scored in the middle and capitalized on his chance. Mickelson then made a mistake and fell from 1 under to even. The two are tied for second place to qualify for the U.S. Open.

“I think it was Payne who sank that putt. You saw the determination he had when he put one finger in the air after he made that putt. I think this guy is focused. He’s a guy who’s ready to win,” Nenno said of Stewart’s putt on No. 16.

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“And you can see Phil expressing his emotions a little bit, probably because of how he was feeling that day. Phil, who’s about to have a baby, thinks about his life and how he feels. I can’t even imagine what you’re going through.”

That week, Mickelson and his wife, Amy, were welcoming their first child, Amanda, into the world. There was a lot going on in “Lefty’s” mind.

Unfortunately, Mickelson still had a tournament left to win. Stewart stuck his approach to 5 feet on the par-3 17th, then matched it with a masterful approach of his own.

However, Mickelson was unable to capitalize on that opportunity at age 17, which was emblematic of his entire U.S. Open career.

Shortly after, Stewart stepped up and sank the birdie putt, leaving him one stroke behind at 18.

Despite taking home the honor, Stewart missed the fairway by inches. Mickelson found a short piece of grass off the tee, but he drew an awkward lie in the wet rough. Mickelson then made a great approach on the green for birdie.

“He’s having to make a decision that a lot of golfers make,” Nenno said of Stewart’s second shot on the 18th.

“Do I go with that? Should I play it safe? What are my options here? And in that moment, he’s calm. He takes the time to evaluate and say, ‘Do I want to go for a break with this shot? I thought that was not the right way. It’s a one stroke difference. ‘ So he hit a nice shot into the fairway. [77 yards] Can’t reach the green. ”

With Stewart back in the fairway and Mickelson back in the green, the tournament was effectively tied, even though Stewart had a one-shot advantage.

Stewart then chipped up onto the green, leaving about 15 feet to go for the win.

“It wasn’t anything special, but I made the putt,” Nenno added.

Mickelson narrowly missed and tapped for par. He finished the championship even.

This set the stage for Stewart, who sank the uphill putt at 1 under for the win and one of golf’s enduring images.

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After celebrating for a while, Stewart walked up to Mickelson, put his hands around his face and said, “You’re going to be a great father.”

Nenno said of Stewart’s celebration, “Just the raw joy, the unbridled joy, the excitement on his part, the way he hugged his caddy and grabbed Phil.”

“At this moment he was drawn to Phil and came out of his happy state to talk to Phil. One-on-one, human-to-human, human-to-human. This is a life-changing moment for you. It’s not about this. That’s even more important on Father’s Day. Moments can reveal an entire life, sometimes reveal an entire person, and help define pain.”

Carrying on Payne’s legacy at Pinehurst

This year, the World Golf Hall of Fame and USGA will unveil a new golf house in Pinehurst as the Hall of Fame relocates from St. Augustine, Florida to North Carolina.

Perhaps it wouldn’t have happened without the 1999 U.S. Open.

“It’s no coincidence that the USGA planned to bring the U.S. Open back to Pinehurst for this 25th anniversary. Pinehurst has proven to be a great U.S. Open test for men and women,” added Neno.

“And that 1999 Open was Pinehurst’s first proving ground as the host of a U.S. Open Championship. To have that level of drama, to have so many great players competing to the end. We believe this will solidify Pinehurst’s place in USGA championship history and lay the foundation for a very long relationship between Pinehurst, North Carolina and the USGA into the future.”

In fact, Pinehurst No. 2 will host the U.S. Open in 2029, 2035, 2041, and 2047.

Since the national championship is held approximately every six years, the second venue will be one of the USGA’s strongholds.

And perhaps best of all, this legendary North Carolina resort features artifacts like Stewart’s legendary cap, Johnny Miller’s clubs, and the ball from the 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont. A museum will be built.

These are very unique relics of golf history and well worth a visit for golf fans.

But in honor of Stewart, who is celebrating his 66th birthday, today we ask you to be passionate about everything you do and let his “live loud” personality reflect in everything you do. Indeed, the world would be a better place if everyone could do that.

Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.