Rickie Fowler pays tribute to Payne Stewart

By Cory Buck | Jun 12, 2014

Jun 12, 2014; Pinehurst, NC, USA; Rickie Fowler putts on the 11th green during the first round of the 2014 U.S. Open golf tournament at Pinehurst Resort Country Club - #2 Course. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports /

Rickie Fowler looked a little different coming out of the locker room en route to tee practice on the first morning of the US Open. Instead of his usual golfing garb — typically topped off by a flat brim hat — he wore pulled up knickers and argyle socks — a tribute to a former US Open champion who left us too soon.

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Payne Stewart was known for his argyle socks, distinct swing, and his fist pump that was immortalized at Pinehurst, where Stewart won one of his two US Open titles, as seen below and linked with additional pictures via Bleacher Report.

Payne Stewart won the #USOpen when it was first held here at Pinehurst in 1999 #ETLiveBlog pic.twitter.com/WIRHoioNtl
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 11, 2014

Stewart died at 42 when a Learjet in which he was a passenger crashed in South Dakota. In addition to his US Open victories in 1991 and 1999, Stewart won the PGA Championship in 1989. He tied the single round Open championship record with a 63 at Royal St. George’s Golf Club.

He was also a character on the golf course, as his flashy style of clothing set him apart from all others he played against. That’s something the Fowler can appreciate and is showing off in his own style, so honoring Payne Stewart just feels right for Fowler.

Now nearly 15 years after Stewart’s death, the 25 year-old Fowler hopes to honor Stewart with a round that would make him proud. Fowler tied for 5th in the 2011 Open championship and tied for 10th in the 2013 US Open.