Tour players you respect the most as people?

[PEZGolf]

Every game or sport has its "stars" who achieve fame due to athletic accomplishments. Some are admirable as people, and others are not (eg. John Daly). Here are two golfers whom I really admire, and why:

1. Stuart Appleby---imagine tryng to carry on after watching your wife die in your arms. I cannot even begin to contemplate what he went through. When he went to Payne Stewart's widow, Tracey, and asked to wear a pair of his plus-4's to honor him at the Tour Championship after Payne's tragic plane accident, Tracey consented without hesitation. It was one Aussie helping another. They both know tragedy and have an empathy that only those who "have been there" can truly understand.

2. Darren Clarke---in the interview with Paul Mahoney in this month's "Golf" magazine, Darren talks about losing his wife, Heather. When asked, "How long did it take for your life to return to normal after she died?", Darren gave a great answer, "Well, what's normal?" ------------- Anyone who has experienced first hand personal tragedy knows exactly what he means. Normal is NOT what once was. That is gone forever.

Not to leave this post on a "downer", I also admire Darren becuse of his philosophy about competition and golf:

"I hate gamesmanship. My philosophy is simple: play hard, try to win, and then have a drink with your opponent afterward. That's what golf---and life---is all about."


Well said, in a very Irish way! Whom do you admire, and why?

[billysandy]

Rory McIlroy