Paul Azinger

Paul Azinger is getting what he considers the greatest honor of his career. He was announced Monday as recipient of the Payne Stewart Award that recognizes traits belonging to his closest friend on the PGA Tour.

The award began in 2000, a year after Stewart and three others died in a plane crash. It has become one of the top awards in golf, with a ceremony televised live from Atlanta during the Tour Championship in August.

“To be named the recipient of this award, representing my dearest friend, is one of the proudest moments in my life,” Azinger said.

Azinger is a 12-time winner on the PGA Tour, including the 1993 PGA Championship that he won in a playoff. He is equally known for reshaping the Ryder Cup qualification system and leading the Americans to a rare victory against Europe in 2008. He now works as a television analyst for the PGA Tour Champions.

The award honors a player who shows character, sportsmanship and commitment to charity. Azinger and his wife, Toni, in 2021 opened the Azinger Family Compassion Center, which serves vulnerable and struggling families in Manatee County in Florida.

Clark regretful

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Wyndham Clark said Sunday he feels “terrible” about damaging a locker at century-old Oakmont during the U.S. Open and that he wants to make good with the Pittsburgh-area country club and longtime U.S. Open site.

Club president John Lynch sent Oakmont members a letter last week saying Clark would not be allowed back on the property until he paid for repairs and got counseling.

“I feel terrible with what happened. I’m doing anything I can to try to remedy the situation,” Clark said.