Ernie Els was named the recipient of the Payne Stewart Award, annually rewarded by the PGA Tour and Southern Company to a professional player who “best exemplifies Stewart’s steadfast values of character, charity and sportsmanship.”
Els’ philanthropic endeavors include improving the lives of those with autism spectrum disorder as well as development of junior golf talent in his native South Africa.
“It’s an unbelievable honor,” Els said Wednesday when the announcement was made on “Morning Drive." “It’s very easy for us to start giving back, because the PGA Tour is a very charitable organization.