By Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Pinehurst, N.C. — The bronze statue of Payne Stewart will be front and center for the 2024 U.S. Open.

During the week of the 124th U.S. Open Championship, the statue will be at the front entrance of Pinehurst No. 2.

The statue commemorates Stewart’s par putt on the 18th hole to win the 1999 U.S. Open against Phil Mickelson. June marks 25 years since the iconic moment.

“There’s never really a time in Pinehurst since 1999 when you don’t feel the spirit of Payne Stewart,” Pinehurst Resort and Country Club social media relations manager Alex Podlogar wrote in an email to WRAL News. “Every Sunday, the hole location on the 18th hole of No. 2 is placed in the spot that Payne made so famous in 1999, and many golfers playing No. 2 on a Sunday get a chance to see the spot and try the putt that’s become timeless over the years.

“Twenty-five years after his memorable triumph, we remain humbled to be so closely associated with Payne and that very special moment in time.”

Crews plan to move the statue back to hole No. 18 after the 2024 U.S. Open.

In recent weeks, Podlogar said the statue got taken to Greensboro for refurbishing.

The U.S. Open is set for June 13-16.

Source: wralsportsfan.com