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American golfer Steve Stricker was honoured for his good sportsmanship
and respect of the game on Tuesday with the announcement that he is the
winner of the 2012 Payne Stewart Award.
The annual honour is
given to the player who best epitomises the sense of fairness and
commitment to golf's sporting traditions, and in Stricker, a 12-times
winner on the PGA Tour and known for his professionalism and likeability
on the course, the award found a popular and emotional recipient.
"For
years, Steve Stricker has epitomised everything that the Payne Stewart
Award represents," Tour commissioner Tim Finchem told reporters on
Tuesday from the East Lake Golf Club, which is due to host the
culmination of the FedEx Playoff tournament later this week.
"From
his professionalism on the golf course to his compassion for others off
of it, it is hard to think of a more fitting recipient."
The
45-year-old Stricker was clearly overwhelmed by the award and struggled
to hold back the tears in a speech to media at East Lake.
"It's
very humbling and an honour that I never thought would be possible,"
Stricker said. "I'm very fortunate, very blessed to be a part of this.
"Golf
obviously means a lot to me. I've tried to conduct myself over the
years ... to set an example, lead down the proper road, lead by example,
and Payne did that.
"The guys that have won this award prior to
me have done that. Those guys stand for what Payne was and what kind of
person and what kind of player he was." |