PGA Tour Year in Review:
Closing out the Millennium

By Scott Behmer
Southern Arizona Bureau Chief

	Sergio Garcia

Yet while an awesome year on the course it was also deeply saddening with the passing of one of early golf's great ambassadors and the tragic death of the most recognizable player in recent golf history. Gene Sarazen and Payne Stewart--two great golfers, two magnificent people.

In the most dominant year by any golfer of the 90's, Tiger Woods' seven wins included his second major, the PGA Championship. Oddly, his year started with a couple of near misses, including a third place finish at the Phoenix Open.

The week had begun with the crowd still buzzing over David Duval's 59 but quickly turned into the Rocco Mediate show. With precision and accuracy off the tee and a killer touch with the long-putter he stole the tournament and left many wondering if Tiger had tinkered too much with his swing.

A month later the first of the World Golf Championships was played in La Costa taking away the top 64 players from the concurrent Tucson Open. Yet oddly enough, Jeff Maggert, a player considered more Tucson quality with his inability to win, took home the million dollar La Costa check while Tucson's field was highlighted with Kevin Costner, Alice Cooper, and Robin Yount. Unfortunately they only played in the Pro-Am.

In the end Gabriel Hjertstedt, who at one time had lived in his car in order to survive as a professional golfer, won the Tucson Open over Tommy Armour III with a birdie on the first playoff hole.

The biggest news of the spring was the passing of Gene Sarazen, one of golf's royalty. One of only four players to win the Grand Slam, the Squire served as honorary starter at the Masters in recent years. Ironically, his death brought back to life perhaps the greatest shot in golf history, his double eagle at #15 in the final round of the 1935 Masters which helped tie him for the lead and eventually win the tournament in a 36-hole playoff the following day.

Sarazen's lasting legacy can be found in your golf bag. He invented the sand wedge, argueably the biggest stroke saving club in the bag. Known for his sweet swing, snappy dress, and jovial attitude, the Squire shared similar characteristics with another golfer who would soon join him at the heavenly 19th hole.

	Payne Stewart

Following the predicted plan, on #18 with a one stroke lead he drove into the rough, pitched back to the fairway and hit an unspectacular wedge twenty-feet from the hole. Then he did the unthinkable, holing the longest putt ever to win a U.S. Open. Yet no sooner was he done pumping his fist in the air than he was consoling Phil Mickelson on his loss and reminding him that he was soon to be a father. Indeed, that came true the following day.

At the trophy presentation Payne stated what the key to victory was: "I'd just like to give thanks to the Lord. Without the faith I have in Him, I would never have been able to have the faith in myself I needed today on the golf course....I could never give up today. No matter what happened, I could just never give up."

This faith that he rediscovered in 1998 thanks to his wife and two children would change Payne Stewart's legacy from being the funny looking golfer with two major championships, to a friendly, caring, generous person who would soon serve with Tom Lehman as an inspirational leader in the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history. His legacy carries far beyond the fairway ropes and into the hearts of the millions of Payne Stewart fans.

In a fitting tribute to Payne, before a ball was struck at last Thursday's Tour Championship, and with most of the field gathered around the first tee, a lone bagpipe played "Going Home" to honor his memory. Play was canceled Friday so players could attend his memorial service.

One of the most memorable moments occurred when close friend Paul Azinger rolled up his pants and stuffed them in his argyles, then placed Payne's traditional tam o'shanter cap on his head. And in a fitting tribute to one of golf's most beloved players several of the players were adorned in Payne's familiar attire for the final round on Sunday.

1999 has been a year of incredible rounds, memorable tournaments, and heartbreaking tragedies. It's only fitting that one of the greatest seasons in golf history is closing out the millennium.

Related links:
• Index of past feature stories
• Past course reviews by Scott Behmer