Steve Stricker recipient of 2012 Payne Stewart Award

Steve Stricker, the mild-mannered pro from Wisconsin, has been named this year's recipient of the Payne Stewart Award, which the Tour presents "annually to a player sharing Stewart's respect for the traditions of the game, his commitment to uphold the game's heritage of charitable support and his professional and meticulous presentation of himself and the sport through his dress and conduct," according to PGATour.com.

"This award means a great deal to the players on the PGA Tour, and I am truly grateful to be the recipient of the Payne Stewart Award," Stricker, 45, told PGATour.com on Tuesday. "I take great pride in being recognized for the values that the Payne Stewart Award stands for. I was fortunate enough to spend time with and compete against Payne, and I watched how he handled himself on the course, with his fellow competitors, with the fans and volunteers. I hope that by leading by example, just as Payne did, that our younger players will follow in the traditions of sportsmanship, integrity and charitable efforts that he helped bring to our sport."

Stricker continued his late-career revival in 2012, and is currently ranked 13th in the FedEx Cup standings. Earlier this month, he earned a captain's pick onto his third Ryder Cup team, where doubtless he'll play with Tiger Woods to recreate their successful two-man team. His charitable efforts, according to PGATour.com, "center around children and adults with disabilities."

"For years, Steve Stricker has epitomized everything that the Payne Stewart Award represents," said PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem said Tuesday. "From his professionalism on the golf course to his compassion for others off of it, it is hard to think of a more fitting recipient."