Golf-Snedeker named 2024 Payne Stewart Award winner

(Reuters) - Brandt Snedeker, a nine-time winner on the PGA Tour whose foundation supports youth initiatives on both the social and athletic fronts, was named the recipient of the 2024 Payne Stewart Award on Tuesday.

The honor is given annually to a player sharing the late Stewart's respect for the traditions of the game and his commitment to uphold golf's heritage of charitable support.

"It's an amazing honor and privilege to be a recipient of this award," Snedeker said in a PGA Tour news release.

"With my family being from Springfield, Missouri, Payne's hometown, he was my favorite golfer growing up and to have my name on this trophy is unbelievable.

"When you're recognized for an award like this, it means not only are you a good player, but you’re a good person. This was one of my dreams and it came true."

The PGA Tour said Snedeker's triumph at the season-ending Tour Championship in 2012, which came with an eye-popping $10 million bonus, allowed him and his wife, Mandy, to launch the Snedeker Foundation shortly after.

Snedeker will be honored on Aug. 27 at the Payne Stewart Award Ceremony in conjunction with the Tour Championship.

American Stewart, who died in a plane crash in 1999, won 11 times on the PGA Tour, including three majors.

(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Toby Davis)