POIPU, Hawaii -- This was supposed to be a celebration, a $1
million culmination to the PGA Tour season.
Instead, the PGA Grand Slam of Golf has turned somber.
The tournament, which starts Tuesday at the Poipu Bay Resort on
Kauai, is designed for the winners of the year's four majors.
There's Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal, British Open
winner Paul Lawrie and PGA winner Tiger Woods.
The fourth spot is reserved for the U.S. Open champ, but Payne
Stewart was killed in a plane crash in South Dakota last month.
Davis Love III, the alternate based on his performance in this
year's majors, will take over for his late friend.
"I'm not trying to replace him," Love said Monday. "His spot
will never be taken. None of the four can replace Payne. Hopefully,
while we're here, we can focus on him and carry on his mission for
his love of the game of golf."
And Stewart's memory will be everywhere. His portrait, draped in
a lei, has a place on the scoreboard. He will also be an integral
part of the tournament program, and television plans a tribute
during its prime-time telecast.
The four participants were part of this year's Ryder Cup in
which the United States rallied to win the trophy on the final day.
The Grand Slam match-play pairings has top-seeded Woods facing
No. 4 Lawrie, with No. 3 Love paired with No. 2 Olazabal. The
winners meet Wednesday for the $400,000 first prize.
Woods recorded eight Tour victories this season, leads the world
rankings and won $7.28 million in earnings.
His latest victory came last weekend in Malaysia, where he led
the United States to the World Cup title in the 32-nation event. He
shot a record-breaking total for four rounds and won the individual
title by nine strokes.
For Lawrie, who had to travel halfway around the world, the task
is daunting.
"All I can do is try to play well against him," he said.
