MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / June 14, 2000

There will be many of the usual characteristics of an U.S. Open when the100th version of the event begins Thursday at famed Pebble Beach.

The fairways will be narrow and the rough high. The greens will run high onthe Stimp meter. The ocean can be heard crashing near the 18th hole, one ofthe most famous closing holes in the sport.

The Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus, will be there for a 44th straight, and perhaps final, time. He will be paired with defending U.S. Amateur David Gossett andBritish Open champion Paul Lawrie.

But that is one difference at this year’s Open. Because for all that there isnormally there, there is one big thing that will be missed – Payne Stewart.

It was a year ago that William Payne Stewart (that was the way his father always wanted him to sign in at the Open) captured the hearts of golf fans at Pinehurst, N.C. On Father’s Day 1999, Stewart made one of the best clutchshots in the history of the sport, curling in a 15-footer for a birdie on the 72nd hole to defeat Phil Mickelson by a stroke for his second Open title.

But as great as that shot was, it was Stewart’s reaction afterwards that will be remembered for years to come. Stewart grabbed Mickelson, who wifewould deliver the next day, and told him that he would be a father.

There is the picture now of Stewart clutching the Open trophy. On his wrist,quite evident, is a bad with the letters W.W.J.D. – What Would Jesus Do. Itdemonstrated how much Stewart had changed his life around, from being petulant to being one of the most liked players on the PGA Tour.

Four months later, Stewart would help the United States win the Ryder Cup.

In his final match against Colin Montgomerie and with Montgomerie being heckled mercilessly by the crowd, Stewart graciously conceded the final hole.

Sadly, it would be one of our final images of Stewart. A month later, he,along with five others would be killed in a plane crash.

This year’s Open will mark the first time since 1949 that a champion will not be able to defend. That year, Ben Hogan was critically injured in an autoaccident. He would come back to win the title again in 1950 in one of golf’sbest stories. Sadly, that story cannot be repeated this time. When the group of Mark Brooks, Brent Geiberger and Bob May tee off Thursday at 8:30 a.m., much of the attention will return to the golf course.Will Tiger Woods win his first U.S. Open or will Phil Mickelson, who came soclose last year, break through for his first win in a major? Will Lee Janzen, who edged out Stewart twice for Open titles, win his third? Or can Nicklaus give us one more magical memory and walk down the final fairway on his way to another U.S. Open win?It is Nicklaus who will take Stewart’s place in the grouping that normally includes the defending U.S. Open, British Open and U.S. Amateur champion.Stewart will be remembered in a number of ways this week. Marshals, whoalways wear knickers at Pebble Beach, will add Stewart’s trademark tam o’shanter caps and pass out ribbons of the Stewart tartan. A sunriseservice has also been planned. All to honor a man who was a champion on andoff the course.

And as you watch the telecast of the Open Sunday, listen closely to the sound of the waves crashing along the beach on the 18th hole. You may justbe able to hear Stewart’s laughter in them.

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