Paul Azinger named 2025 recipient of Payne Stewart Award

In recognition of his character, sportsmanship and commitment to charitable giving, the PGA TOUR has announced 12-time PGA TOUR winner Paul Azinger as the recipient of the PGA TOUR’s Payne Stewart Award for 2025.

The TOUR will officially honour Azinger on August 19 at the Payne Stewart Award Ceremony in conjunction with the TOUR 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,” 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 Payne Stewart Award, which is now in its 28th year, 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 winner on the PGA TOUR and World Golf Hall of Fame member, died tragically 26 years ago during the week of the TOUR Championship, in 1999.

Southern Company, the Official Energy Company of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions, was the TOUR Championship presenting sponsor the year of Stewart’s passing. A year later, the PGA TOUR created the Payne Stewart Award in his honor, and Southern Company has supported the annual presentation since its inception.

Azinger, 65, is a Holyoke, Massachusetts native and has 12 TOUR titles to his credit, including his most memorable victory, at the 1993 PGA Championship. Back home in Florida’s Bradenton/Sarasota area, he and his wife, Toni, give back through the Azinger Family Compassion Center in Manatee County. The Azingers have two children, Sarah Jean and Josie Lynn.

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

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, continues to make a difference in the lives of hungry kids, sex-trafficked children and working families living paycheck to paycheck.

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 over 190 non-profit 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,” said Chris Womack, chairman, president and CEO of Southern Company. “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.”