Payne Stewart: The Authorised Biography - Tapa dura

Written by his wife Tracey Stewart, this is the only authorized biography of Payne Stewart It gives the reader a detailed look into Payne’s life through the eyes of the person closest to him throughout all the triumphs and disasters of his career.

When his life came to a sudden and tragic end in Ocotber 1999, Payne Stewart was at the top of his game on every level. In June 1999 he secured his place as one of the golfing greats of our time when he putted out for victory in the US open and won a much coveted place on the winning Ryder Cup team.

This is a book about a man unique in his talent, faith and commitment to his family. Many of the sports greatest characters can be found in its pages and it paints a compelling picture of life on the PGA circuit

While this biography charts his professional accomlishments it is also a testimony of his personal triumphs.

His wife Tracey shares the story of Payne’s early years growing up in Missouri under the watchful and loving eye of his father and coach, Bill Stewart. Bill sharpened Payne’s skills and gave him the desire to win which would spur him to many victories later in life. After graduating from college, but failing to qualify immediatly for the PGA Tour, Payne joined the Asian Tour. It was a turn of events that was to change his life as during a stop in Malaysia he met Tracey. After a long distance romance between the States and Australia, the two were married and Payne began to build his legendary PGA career.

Those closest to Stewart said his family and faith were what mattered most to him. At his funeral his wife Tracey described him as a devoted husband, father and a devout Christian. She said “After 18 years of marriage, he was still the most beautiful man I had ever seen, because of what he was on the inside.”

When his life came to a sudden and tragic end on October 25, 1999, Pyne Stewart was at the top of his game on every level. In June of 1999, he enjoyed the triumph signatureof his career and solidified himself as one of the exemplary personalities in his profession with a victory at the U.S. Open and a place on the coveted winning U.S. Ryder Cup team. However satisfying his professional accomplishments were, it was his personal triumphs that made him stand out.

In this authorized biography of her husband Tracey Stewart shares the story of Payne's early life, growing up in Springfield, Missouri, under the watchful and loving eye of his first golf-coach, his father, Bill Stewart. Through his growing up years, Bill guided Payne's natural abilities and love for the game of golf, sharpening his skills and giving him the desire to win that would empower him to many victories later in life.

After a successful college career, but failing to qualify immediately for the PGA Tour, Payne joined the asian Tour. However unexpected this route may have been for him, it was a turn of events that would change his life. During a stop in Malaysia for the Malaysian Open, Payne met Tracey. After a long-distance romance between the States and Austrailia, the two were married, and Payne, with Tracey's help and support, began to build his legendary PGA career.

Tracey recounts those early days on the PGA Tour, of Payne's decision to begin wearing his trade mark 'plus fours' and tam-o-shanter, and the life and family they built together in Orlando, Florida. Through career ups and downs, she was Payne's constant support and companion – his biggest fan.

The last several years of his life were marked by a renewed faith in God. Those closest to Stewart said his family and faith were what mattered most to him. At his funeral, Tracey described him as a devoted husband and a devout Christian.

"After 18 Years of marriage, he was still the most beautiful man I had ever seen because of what he was on the inside."

TRACEY STEWART was born in Queensland, Austrailia, where she also attended school. She met Payne Stewart in March 1980 during the Malaysian Open, in a meeting she describes as love at first sight. After romancing each other around the world, Payne and Tracey were engaged one year later