Stewart almost sneaked in unnoticed to finish second in the 1985 British Open at Royal St George's. Starting the final round six strokes off the pace, Stewart carded a joint best-of-day 68 (2-under- par) to finish one shot behind champion Sandy Lyle. It was his first top-3 performance in a major championship. At that point in his career, Stewart had only won two US Tour events, but it was this performance in Kent that marked him down as a potential major star of the future.

After turning professional in 1979, Stewart failed to win his US Tour player's card at the qualifying school in the autumn of that year. So he headed off to Asia to learn his trade there. His time in the far east yielded victories in the Indian and Indonesian Opens, both in 1981. While competing on the Asian circuit he met and married his Australian wife Tracey. A more experienced Stewart returned to the States in 1981 when he was successful in earning his US Tour card.

Payne Stewart, two times a major championship winner.