Stewart dressed in 'plus-fours', outfits typically worn by golfers of a previous era

October 25, 1999
Web posted at: 6:56 p.m. EDT (2256 GMT)

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From staff and wire reports

(CNN) -- Golf champion Payne Stewart's father and his religious faith both played a large role in his short life and successful career.

Born in Springfield, Missouri, in 1957, Stewart attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas and began his professional golf career in 1980.

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From the beginning, Stewart was one of a very few regulars on the professional golf tour who dressed in so-called "plus- fours."

The outfits were typically worn by the golfers of yesteryear. Stewart called the fashion statement his own little contribution to preserving the history of the game.

Several times, he even played in white shirt and tie, as golfers did in the early part of the century. The impact of Stewart's wardrobe even extended to his home.

Stewart's closet at his Orlando, Florida, home was larger than some apartments, with racks and racks of shirts and knickers and one small closet for nothing other than his socks.

His father had played a huge role in his early career, and his death in 1985 left the son understandably struggling. Two years later, when he won the Bay Hill Invitational, he donated the entire first-place check to an Orlando hospital in his father's memory.

Stewart played on the Professional Golf Association Tour for 20 years, winning eleven tournaments, including two U.S. Opens and a PGA Championship.

The Opens came eight years apart, separated by a lengthy and troubling slump, but a year ago, he made nearly $1.1 million.

Stewart embraces his wife, Tracey Ferguson, after his U.S. Open win on June 20

Stewart credited his newfound faith for reversing that slump.

And he had said he was drawn to the church through his two children, 13-year-old Chelsea and 10-year-old Aaron.

"I'm proud of the fact that my faith in God is so much stronger and I'm so much more at peace with myself than I've ever been in my life," Stewart said earlier this year after winning the U.S. Open.

"Where I was with my faith last year and where I am now is leaps and bounds."

Appropriately, that U.S. Open win occurred on Father's Day. Stewart made a 15-foot par putt on the final hole at the Pinehurst No. 2 golf course in North Carolina to win the U.S. Open by one stroke over Phil Mickelson.

It was the longest putt to decide a U.S. Open in the event's 99-year history. Stewart made it on the 72nd hole. It was his third major championship victory.

In addition to his two children, Stewart is survived by his mother, Bee, of Springfield and his wife Tracey, whom he met while playing in Australia early in his career.

CNN/SI Correspondent Jim Huber and The Associated Press contributed to this report.