Payne Stewart Award: From Arnie Palmer to Ernie Els

Aug 24, 2014; Paramus, NJ, USA; Ernie Els tees off on the fifth hole during the final round of The Barclays golf tournament at Ridgewood Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

2015: Ernie Els

The former world #1 has compiled 19 PGA Tour victories, and 70 on other tours worldwide. He’s won 4 major championships since he turned pro in 1989, and is one of only six other golfers to win the U.S Open & Open Championship 2 times each.

But “the Big Easy” is on this list for something more than his golf game. In 2009, Els and his wife Liezl, started the Els for Autism Foundation. The couple’s son Ben is autistic and was the inspiration behind the formation of the foundation. Along with raising awareness about the disease, Els funded the building of the Center of Excellence in Jupiter, Florida. The center focuses on positively impacting those with autism as well as their families.

Next: 2014, Nick Faldo