Payne Stewart will forever be remembered as the sharp-dressed golf legend whose career was tragically cut short. A plane crash ended Payne's life in 1999 just four months after winning his 2nd U.S. Open Championship and 3rd major overall. A native Texan known for his style and grace, Stewart patented the throwback attire with Tam O' Shanter caps, patterned knickers and colorful knee socks that gave photographers, fans and PGA peers a different look every time he stepped on the course. Combined with his elegant swing, he was arguably the most popular and compelling player in the world from the late 1980s through the 1990s. His legacy lives on through The Payne Stewart Award, established in 2000 to honor the "player who best exemplifies the values of character, charity and sportsmanship" (PGA.com).
Open for bidding is this wonderful Payne Stewart tournament-worn and autographed head-to-toe ensemble from the early 1990's. Stewart signed a 6-year sponsorship deal with the NFL in 1989 that paid him to wear NFL-themed outfits at PGA Tour events. He wore the NFL team colors and logo of the team located closest to a particular tournament. This unique set has a Denver Broncos theme. Let's start with his trademark white Tom 'O Shanter cap with 'STETSON' and size 'L' flag tags inside. Sewn on the back is 'Wilson' and the NFL shield. Stewart has added his beautiful 8/10 autograph in black to the front. Next we have a white polo with the Denver Broncos logo and 'BRONCOS' in orange stitched to the left chest. Behind the collar is the 'ANTIGUA' brand tag with size L on the laundry tag. Another pretty Payne Stewart 8 autograph in black adorns the front of the shirt above the Broncos logo. Then we get to the pants and socks combo so typical of Stewart, this time a pair of light blue Antigua knickers (size 34) and orange knee socks to represent the Broncos colors. A pair of unsigned white Dexter golf spikes (size 8.5) tops off the outfit. Despite the fact that the shirt, pants and shoes have been laundered, all items show clear signs of wear, particularly in the now off-white tone and faint sweat stains of the polo.
Stewart's NFL deal expired in 1995 following the PGA Championship. Ben Curtis signed a similar deal with Reebok in 2004 to don NFL gear at PGA events. We were unable to find a photo-match of this outfit, but the attached photos provide other NFL-themed examples. He regularly wore a white Tam 'O Shanter. Stewart would have worn this outfit at a tournament in or around the state of Colorado (Denver just so happens to be the most isolated NFL city.) This special piece of golf history from a legend and true gentleman of the game comes courtesy of a collector who attended many PGA events as part of his profession.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.
Includes a Letter of Provenance from collector Robert Zweigle.
The Robert Zweigle collection represents 40 years of assembling sports memorabilia items from college and professional football, professional golf and NCAA basketball. Bob Zweigle was a major supplier of promotional products to the NFL who personally attended 38 Super Bowls, working closely with NFL personnel and establishing unique connections that helped grow his collection. He designed/produced Super Bowl press pins from XXV through XXXIX (the final year the NFL produced its own pins). He also designed/produced the Player Participation Trophy and Player of the Game Trophy for the Pro Bowl, as well as the Arena Bowl Championship Trophy. He made it a personal quest to obtain in-person autographs on important memorabilia items at many sporting events wherein he had rare and unusual access.