This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/12/2021
Champion Payne Stewart's 1991 US Open at Hazeltine Contestant Badge
Hesitancy arose among the PGA Tour players when it was announced that for the first time in 21 years Chaska, Minnesota's Hazeltine National Golf Club would play host to the US Open again in 1991. Disgruntled 1970 US Open contestant Dave Hill gave his unfiltered opinion post-round that it was "80 acres of corn and a few cows." The tournament would prove to play out as the USGA intended it to, with an extra day of golf and a duel between tour stars and major winners Payne Stewart and Scott Simpson. Midwesterner, Springfield, Missouri native Payne Stewart outlasted 1987 US champion Scott Simpson in an 18-hole Monday playoff in the Minneapolis suburb for his second major in the region (first outside of Chicago at Kemper Lakes) and first of his two U.S. Open titles. His playoff round of 75 would be two lower than Simpson's. A triumphant fist pump from Stewart donning a red and white striped NFL Super Bowl shirt and one 'FORE' cleat off of the ground remains the memorable still from the tournament.
Pinned to champion Stewart's trousers that Monday was this contestant badge issued to Stewart by the United States Golf Association (USGA) for the week. The great seal of the United States is encircled in green by the dated tournament title. Below is "STEWART P." written in black type on the adhered white paper label that was used as a nameplate to identify Payne Stewart that week, likely not a necessary tool for many. Payne Stewart's legacy lives on and this US Open winning contestant is a special one, just like Payne himself was.
A signed letter of provenance from Tracey Stewart will accompany this lot.
The Payne Stewart Collection
"Over the years so many people have reached out to share how much Payne impacted their lives or the lives of their loved ones. I am pleased to share these items as a reminder of how much Payne enjoyed golf, but even more, how much he enjoyed people. I hope these will become treasured mementos that will inspire and encourage people the way Payne did in his life.” - Tracey Stewart
Many in the golf community are familiar with Payne Stewart and his accolades: 1989 PGA Champion at Kemper Lakes, 1991 US Open Champion at Hazeltine and 1999 US Open Champion at Pinehurst. The 11-time PGA Tour winner was also a passionate member of five United States Ryder Cup Teams. Likely coming to mind first is Stewart's 1999 US Open at Pinehurst victorious fist pump pose on one foot, an iconic moment in professional golf history that has been made fittingly into a larger-than-life bronze statue that resides at Pinehurst. The gentleman that was known to take chances with knickers and a matching golf shirt has left us all with memories.
Blonde haired, blue eyed Payne Stewart had it all - charisma, dazzle, passion and the ability to handle the immense pressure on the course. With those characteristics in mind, the PGA Tour's 'Payne Stewart Award' is given annually to a player whose "values align with the character, charity and sportsmanship that Stewart showed." Later in his career he publicly stressed how important family was to him. "You're going to love being a father!" Stewart cupped 1999 US Open runner-up Phil Mickelson's face during the emotional finish at Pinehurst. It is now Payne Stewart's family, Tracey and children Aaron and Chelsea's wishes to share his collection with the public through The Golf Auction's offering. Stewart's relics will soon become cherished cornerstone pieces of curated, esteemed collections around the world, tangible memorabilia carrying on the legacy of the ever-popular Payne Stewart for many generations to come. Following the well received March Auction offering, we are pleased to present the remaining collectibles at this time.
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