Paul Azinger named recipient of PGA Tour's 2025 Payne Stewart Award
The PGA Tour announced Monday it was honoring Azinger with the Payne Stewart Award in recognition of his character, sportsmanship and commitment to charitable giving.
The Payne Stewart Award is presented annually by the PGA Tour to a professional golfer who best exemplifies Stewart's steadfast values of character, charity and sportsmanship. Stewart, an 11-time PGA Tour winner and World Golf Hall of Fame member, died tragically 26 years ago during the week of the Tour Championship.
'To be named the recipient of this award, representing my dearest friend, is one of the proudest moments in my life,' Azinger said in a release. 'Payne displayed the ultimate character, sportsmanship and service to others throughout his career. He set the standard for how to represent the game of golf, so to be recognized for this award is truly humbling.'
Azinger is a native of Holyoke, Massachusetts, and has 12 Tour titles to his credit, including his most memorable win at the 1993 PGA Championship.
'We are pleased to add Paul Azinger's name to the long and illustrious list of those who have received the Payne Stewart Award presented by Southern Company,' said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. 'If there is one person who knows all the positive traits that exemplified Payne Stewart, it's his close friend, Paul. His values align with the character and charitable pursuits that Payne displayed throughout his career, and it's only fitting that Paul be honored with this year's award.'
The Tour will honor Azinger on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at the Payne Stewart Award Ceremony in conjunction with the Tour Championship. Golf Channel will televise the ceremony as part of a 'Golf Central' special from 7-8 p.m. EDT at the Southern Exchange in downtown Atlanta.
In addition to a sculpture by Bob Pack presented to the recipient, the Payne Stewart Award is accompanied by an annual Payne Stewart Award grant made possible by Southern Company. The $500,000 grant supports several initiatives in Stewart's name and is distributed as follows: $100,000 to Payne and Tracey Stewart's primary charity, The Stewart Family Foundation; $100,000 in Stewart's honor to Payne Stewart Memorial, located in Missouri at Kids Across America, which is affiliated with Kanakuk Kamps; and $300,000 to a charity designated by the recipient.
Azinger is directing funds to the Paul and Toni Azinger Charitable Fund, which will be used to continue the work at the Azinger Family Compassion Center. Opened in 2021 on the campus of One More Child, the 12,000-square-foot facility which aims to serve vulnerable and struggling families within Manatee County, Florida.
Over the past year, the Azinger Family Compassion Center for One More Child has distributed nearly $19 million worth of food, clothing, household items and other needed supplies, and supported more than 190 nonprofit partners from the surrounding area.
"Paul Azinger is a tremendous selection to be the next recipient of the Payne Stewart Award. Paul is a champion and leader who personifies what it means to be a Payne Stewart Award recipient, purposefully embodying Payne's values of character, charity and sportsmanship,' Chris Womack, chairman, president and CEO of Southern Company, said in a release. 'Paul and Toni are deeply committed to serving their community and continue to do remarkable philanthropic work supporting kids and families in their time of need.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
39 minutes ago
- Fox News
Top-ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler would sacrifice one major championship to end Cowboys Super Bowl drought
Scottie Scheffler has dominated on the golf course in recent years. This year alone, the world No. 1 golfer has won two major tournaments — the PGA Championship and The Open Championship. Scheffler is also a two-time Masters Tournament champion, but he admitted he would sacrifice at least one of his four coveted major titles in exchange for seeing his beloved Dallas Cowboys reach the mountaintop. "Gosh, I don't know. I would trade one, for sure, for a Super Bowl," the University of Texas alum responded when asked whether he would trade a major to see the Cowboys win it all. Those comments follow an admission Scheffler made before teeing off at The Open last week at Royal Portrus about the sport he dominates not completely fulfilling him before teeing off at The Open last week at Royal Portrus. While Scheffler is a New Jersey native, he has resided in Dallas for the majority of his life and is a self-proclaimed fan of the Cowboys. While the Waste Management Phoenix Open is not one of golf's four majors, Scheffler noted he would sacrifice several of his victories in that tournament in favor of seeing the Cowboys hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy. "I've been rooting for a Super Bowl for a long time as well," the top-ranked golfer said before jokingly suggesting he's dealt with more disappointment when it comes to football than he has in golf. "A lot of hard work has gone into cheering on the Boys." The Cowboys have won five Super Bowl titles in the franchise's history. However, the upcoming 2025 season marks three decades since the team has won a championship. The Cowboys have also experienced limited postseason success over that span, and the have failed to advance to a conference championship game since the 1995 season. During Scheffler's lifetime, he's seen Dallas win just five playoff games. A hamstring injury derailed Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott's 2024 season. The team finished with a 7-10 record and failed to qualify for the playoffs. Mike McCarthy was not retained as the head coach.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
🎁 Christmas in July? Martha Stewart already dropped an exclusive QVC holiday line
Shop the holiday hosting queen's newest launches at QVC. I know what you're thinking—Christmas shopping in... July? Yes, but with good reason. When Martha Stewart releases a new holiday home decor collection, it is almost like a Bat-Signal for the unofficial start of the holiday season. Her latest drop is here to inspire you to pack up your summer wardrobe, break out the garland decorations and start feverishly writing up your gifting wishlist. After all, she is the holiday hosting queen! And while the outside temperatures might not exactly scream "cozy season" quite yet, with Stewart's new QVC-exclusive holiday decor collection, you can at least make sure your space feels like a winter wonderland. Plus, with QVC's ongoing Christmas in July sale, shoppers can score deals of up to 70% off on select holiday products—including chic home finds that are Martha Stewart-approved. From a faux Blue Spruce Christmas tree to a plaid stoneware serving bowl, browse our top finds from Martha Stewart's QVC holiday home decor collection—available now and on sale for a limited time: Shop Martha Stewart's QVC holiday collection Shop Martha Stewart's QVC-exclusive holiday collection More deals at QVC's Christmas in July sale This year marks QVC's 30th annual Christmas in July sale, a savings event which runs through July 31 and boasts deals of up to 70% off on holiday products sitewide—from cozy home decor essentials to festive serving staples and more. More: Have you seen the TikTok-famous Tarte beauty book? QVC has it for 31% off In celebration of QVC's Christmas in July sale, Martha Stewart—a longtime collaborator of QVC—launched an exclusive holiday home decor collection with the retailer, which features hundreds of new holiday products like Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, hosting must-haves and more.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Jennifer Lopez Exposes Bedroom Secrets On Stage And Ben Affleck Isn't Amused
Jennifer Lopez has lit a firestorm of controversy during her European tour, unveiling sexually charged performances and brutal breakup anthems that seemingly target ex-husband Ben Affleck. From stage moans to unapologetic lyrics, the singer bared it all, literally and emotionally. However, while Lopez sizzles under the spotlight, Affleck is reportedly not pleased with her "childish" theatrics. Jennifer Lopez's Bold Comeback Sends A Clear Message Lopez has never shied away from pouring her heart into her music. But her latest tracks, which debuted during her current European tour, seem to pack more heat and venom than ever, especially toward ex-husband Ben Affleck. The couple's split in August 2024, after a second attempt to rekindle their romance, appears to have fueled two explosive songs: "Up All Night" and "Wreckage of You." In "Up All Night," Lopez declares, "I'm up all night, dancing on somebody, living my best life / I bet you wish that you were by my side / I got tired of you breaking me down / Look at me now." If that wasn't enough, "Wreckage of You" dives even deeper, "Thank you for the scars you left on my heart / For showing me that stars shine brighter in the dark / I won't fall apart because of who you are / And all your broken parts. Because of you, I am stronger, wiser / Better than I've ever been." Both tracks are seen as lyrical attacks at Affleck, who has long struggled with alcoholism, a detail fans suspect is referenced in the line about "broken parts." Ben Affleck Shrugs Off Lopez's Explosive Lyrics While Jennifer Lopez's musical daggers may have fans buzzing, Affleck is reportedly unfazed. A source close to the 52-year-old actor told the Daily Mail, "If this song or any others bash him, what can he do? It's childish and not something he wants to entertain." The insider emphasized Affleck's decision to take the high road, adding, "It is something he can't control, so he isn't going to let it hurt him and he's definitely not going to give it life by reacting." According to the same source, Affleck saw this coming from miles away. They shared, "He's known her long enough and been given a nod on plenty of her music before so he is more than aware that this was coming." As someone fiercely private, Affleck is choosing silence over spectacle. Jennifer Lopez Doubles Down With Risqué Onstage Acts Beyond the lyrics, Lopez has taken her raw expression to new heights and deeper levels on stage. During her ongoing European tour, her performances have gone from passionate to downright provocative. At Tenerife's Cook Music Fest, she took fans' breath away with a series of raunchy moves. Dressed in a barely-there silver bodysuit, she dropped to all fours before a shirtless dancer, straddled another mid-routine, and provocatively touched two others. Her most jaw-dropping moment came at Italy's Lucca Summer Festival, where Lopez let the crowd in on her bedroom preferences. Before performing her song Moments, she confessed, "I have to be honest with you, sometimes I get in different moods at night. I don't know about you, but I do, and sometimes I like it hard." Megyn Kelly Slams Lopez Jennifer Lopez continued, "Other days, I am feeling a little romantic. You put on candles and soft music. On those days, I like it real slow." Then she added with a smirk, "But there's other days... maybe because it's a new kind of time for me, maybe because it's summertime and it's hot outside — I feel a little more naughty." Unsurprisingly, Lopez's naughty confession went viral, and not everyone was impressed. Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly slammed the pop diva's antics on X, writing, "So she's a soft p-rn star now. Great choices!" Jennifer Lopez's Record Label Drops Her After Album Flop As reactions continued to trail Lopez's latest onstage antics, news reports claimed she had parted ways with her record label BMG. According to The Sun, the label ended its partnership with the superstar after her 2024 album, "This Is Me... Now," failed to meet sales expectations. BMG had signed Lopez on a one-album deal now terminated after what insiders call dismal sales. The "Jenny From the Block" singer had previously released music with Columbia, Epic, and Capitol Records.
