Capturing a legend.

Growing up, Payne was someone who stood out for his style of play, sportsmanship on the course, and his signature style he brought to the game of golf.

I was particularly fond of Payne because he stood out and was different in his own way. For those who don’t always like to fit in with everyone else, Payne made it cool. When I painted this piece of him winning the US Open in 1999, it brought back so many memories of him and the emotions of him closing out that last hole against Phil Mickelson who barely missed a birdie putt to force a playoff. Little did we know it would be his last hole and final win before an untimely death four months later. There are moments in sports that I remember so vividly. This was one of them. What devastating loss. I tried to capture all of that in this painting. Here’s to a legend who paved his own way. Thank you Payne!