1999 - The Year in Golf, 1999

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Aree Wongluekiet (now known as Aree Song) wins the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur. At age 13, she is the youngest winner yet of a USGA championship.

In a dramatic final-day comeback, the U.S. reclaims the Ryder Cup from Europe in matches at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. Europe's players would have some hard feelings over what they felt was excessive celebrating by the Americans.

Paul Azinger begins using a trimmed-down long putter, which he anchors against his belly. This leads to increasing popularity for the belly putter, which becomes common on Tour in the coming years.

In one of the more famous final-hole collapses in pro golf history, Jean Van de Velde blows a 3-shot lead with one hole to play at the British Open. His triple-bogey on the 72nd hole leads to a 4-man playoff won by Paul Lawrie, who had started the round 10 shots behind Van de Velde.

Tiger Woods withstands a back-nine charge by Sergio Garcia to win the PGA Championship, his second major.

Payne Stewart wins his second U.S. Open, but later in the year is killed in a plane crash.

Juli Inkster wins the U.S. Women's Open and the LPGA Championship, securing entry into the LPGA Hall of Fame.

The USGA begins testing for "spring-like effect" in metal drivers.

The first three events under the World Golf Championships banner, sanctioned by the International Federation of PGA Tours, are held. Jeff Maggert is the first WGC winner, claiming the Accenture Match Play Championship.

David Duval shoots 59 in the final round of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic to win by one shot.

David Duval and his father, Bob, win Tour events on the same day, March 28. Bob Duval takes the Senior PGA Tour Emerald Coast Classic while David is winning the The Players Championship.

• Gene Sarazen, career Grand Slam winner
• Payne Stewart, 3-time major champion

PGA: Tiger Woods, $6,616,585
Senior PGA: Bruce Fleisher, $2,515,705
LPGA: Karrie Webb, $1,591,959
European: Colin Montgomerie, Scotland, € 1,822,880

PGA (Vardon Trophy): Tiger Woods, 68.43
Senior PGA: Bruce Fleisher, 69.19
LPGA (Vare Trophy): Karrie Webb, 69.43
European: Colin Montgomerie, 69.59

The Masters: Jose Maria Olazabal
U.S. Open: Payne Stewart
British Open: Paul Lawrie
PGA Championship: Tiger Woods

LPGA: Juli Inkster
U.S. Open: Juli Inkster
du Maurier: Karrie Webb
Nabisco: Dottie Pepper

Amateur Champions
U.S.: David Gossett
British: Graeme Storm
U.S. Women's: Dorothy Delasin
British Women's: Marine Monnet

Ryder Cup
U.S. 14.5, Europe 13.5

Walker Cup
Great Britain and Ireland 15, U.S. 9

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