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'Boys, you gotta play'
Posted: Friday October 29, 1999 11:40 AM
By Gary Van Sickle, Sports Illustrated HOUSTON -- A lone bagpiper played a mournful song as he walked out of the morning mist to the first tee as the Tour Championship began with a remembrance of Payne Stewart . Players gathered on the first tee Thursday morning 45 minutes before the competition's first tee time to share a prayer and remember Stewart, who died tragically Monday in a private jet accident. "It's important that we not lose sight of the most important thing about Payne Stewart," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem told the crowd of players and fans who weathered the early morning chill at Champions Club in Houston. "He was a man of great faith, he was a devoted, passionate and energetic father, and he was a man of tremendous generosity. This week, we play golf in testimony to Payne and hope that by showcasing his absence, we bring into focus that Payne Stewart the champion is irreplaceable." Tom Lehman , Stewart's friend and teammate in the recent Ryder Cup, eulogized Stewart in a faltering voice. "Payne was a very emotional guy," Lehman said. "He liked to laugh and he wasn't ashamed to cry. So I'm not going to be ashamed of my tears this morning." Lehman, pausing several times to regain his composure, spoke of his feelings for the families of all the deceased, but especially for Stewart's family. "He's going to be very missed," Lehman said. "I know we all loved him. We're all in this together. I'd rather be here sharing my grief with these guys. I actually considered not playing this week, but I can just hear Payne in his southern twang saying, 'Boys, you gotta play.'" Lehman led the crowd in a prayer, followed by a moment of silence in Stewart's memory. Then the bagpiper, playing "Amazing Grace," slowly marched off into the eerie mist. Duffy Waldorf , playing by himself, teed off first. Bob Estes dedicated his first shot to Stewart. He putted his ball a few feet off the first tee -- to the surprise of the gallery, who then gave him a nice ovation after he followed it by hitting 3-wood. They realized he was marking the occasion in his own way. 'A unique day'When was the last time Tiger Woods didn't break 100? Maybe never. Until Thursday. But the unexpected was the rule during the one-of-a-kind opening day of the Tour Championship. Woods didn't break 100 because the special tournament format at Champions Club in Houston called for 27 holes of play Thursday. Woods shot 100, six under par for 27 holes, to trail Love III by one shot in what was a long and emotionally draining day. Woods, by the way, injured his arm when his club hit a rock on one shot but will be able to continue to play when the tournament resumes. There were signs of Stewart everywhere throughout the day. A small plane circled over the course for a while sporting a banner that read, "We will remember you, Payne." Chris Perry wore a swath of tartan cloth on his cap in honor of Stewart. Many players, caddies and media sported black ribbons. Waldorf, who played by himself in the first tee time, is known for the artwork he colors on his golf balls. This day, he filled them with words and phrases about Stewart. The tour scheduled 27 holes of play Thursday and another 27 holes Saturday so players could fly to Orlando to attend a funeral service Friday for Stewart. "It was obviously a unique day," said Waldorf, who followed his opening 66 with a three-over 35 on the third nine. "Once you get into the round, golf takes over and it was a good place to be. It's been better being here at the course. Away from the course, my mind wanders and it's not in a good place. Payne set a standard. Not only did he have the game, he had the flair, the character, the whole package." Waldorf was the last man in the Tour Championship field, ranking 30th on the money list. He had to sweat out last weekend's tournament at Disney World to maintain his spot and his berth in this event but in the wake of Stewart's tragedy, said, "Looking back at it now, you see how insignificant it was. There are a lot more important things to worry about this week." Gary Van Sickle is a Sports Illustrated senior writer.
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