Payne Stewart Obituary

Payne Stewart was an American professional golfer who won eleven PGA tour events, including three major championships, the last of which came just a few months before his death in an aeroplane accident at the age of 42.

Stewart gained his first major title at the 1989 PGA Championship. He won the 1991 US open after a playoff against Scott Simpson.

At the 1999 US Open, Steward captured his third major title after holding a 15-foot (5m) par putt on the final hole for a one-stroke victory.

Stewart was reputed to have the biggest wardrobe of all professional golfers and was a favourite of photographers because of his flamboyant attire of ivy caps and patterned pants, which were a cross between plus fours and Knickerbockers, a throwback to the once-commonplace golf uniform.

Stewart was killed in the crash of a Learjet flying from his home in Orlando, Florida, to Texas for the year-ending tournament, The Tour Championship, held at Champions Golf Club in Houston.