Payne Stewart's image on 72nd hole flag

Payne Stewart's victory in the 1999 U.S. Open already is commemorated with a statue at Pinehurst's famed No. 2 course, showing him pumping his fist in celebration after his winning putt.

This year, the USGA went even further to remember the two-time Open champ, unveiling a flag with Stewart's likeness that will be used on the 18th green in the final round.

``Payne Stewart, in his own, unique way, represented all that is best about this game, about its spirits and its traditions,'' USGA president Fred Ridley said Tuesday at a ceremony in Stewart's memory. ``And we will forever remember how his victory renewed our passion for this wonderful game.''

Stewart has been gone for more than 5 1/2 years, one of six people who died when a private jet presumably lost cabin pressure and incapacitated all aboard, then flew uncontrolled across the country until it ran out of fuel and plunged into a South Dakota pasture.

His statue at Pinehurst sits near the 18th green on a knoll near the pro shop, and so far this week, streams of fans have been drawn to it. The pose is vintage Stewart -- arm raised, left leg dangling in the air -- and the image is one that always be associated with his one-shot victory that year over Phil Mickelson.

``All the people who he has touched, who have had an opportunity to get to know him, Payne Stewart lives in those people,'' Mickelson said at the ceremony. ``He lives in my heart and will continue to push me to strive to become a better professional, a better father and a better husband. And I miss him.''

Ridley also presented Pinehurst Resort president Don Padgett II a hole liner with Stewart's likeness, and later gave Dick Coop, a representative of the family, the U.S. Open champion ring that was being prepared for Stewart when he died.

``It is altogether fitting and proper that this award should be made in Pinehurst, because Payne was very, very fond of the people of Pinehurst and this area,'' Coop said. ``It's also fitting that this award is made here in Pinehurst by the USGA, because it was here at Pinehurst that Payne finally made his peace with the USGA. Sand-filled divots and hole locations aside, Payne realized how hard their job was, and that he should practice under the conditions he would face in the tournament.''