Three-time PGA Tournament winner Bart Bryant is killed in a car accident in Florida at 59

Three-time PGA Tour winner Bart Bryant died in a traffic accident in Florida on Tuesday when another vehicle rear ended his. 

The Polk County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office say Bryant was killed when a pickup slammed into the back of his Volkswagen SUV as construction workers halted traffic. 

The other driver has been identified as 21-year-old Mark Farkas of Clermont. He was not injured and it’s unclear why he failed to stop, although an investigation is ongoing. 

Bryant was unresponsive when police found him at the scene of the crash. Medics performed CPR and brought him to a local hospital, where he later died.

Bryant’s wife Donna was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

The PGA confirmed his passing in a statement on Wednesday.

‘The PGA Tour is saddened by the tragic passing of Bart Bryant and our hearts go out to his family and friends during this difficult time,’ PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said in the statement. ‘The Bryants have been a part of the PGA Tour family for over four decades and we are grateful for the impact and legacy he made on our organization and countless communities. Bart will be dearly missed.’ 

Bryant was residing with his wife in nearby Auburndale, Florida. 

(Left) Bart Bryant reacts after nearly chipping in for birdie on the 7th hole during the third round of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship at TPC Harding Park on November 2, 2013 in San Francisco. (Right) Bart Bryant celebrates after sinking his final putt on the 18th hole to win the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Sunday, November 6, 2005. Bryant finished 17-under par and six shots ahead of second-place finisher Tiger Woods

The Polk County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office say Bryant was killed when a pickup slammed into the back of his Volkswagen SUV as construction workers halted traffic. The other driver has been identified as 21-year-old Mark Farkas of Clermont. He was not injured and it’s unclear why he failed to stop, although an investigation is ongoing. Bryant was unresponsive when police found him at the scene of the crash. Medics performed CPR and brought him to a local hospital, where he later died. Bryant’s wife Donna was transported to the hospital with minor injuries

Bart Bryant with his championship trophy and his family after winning THE TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia on November 6, 2005. Bryant was preceded in death by his first wife Cathy, whom he was married to for 34 years until she died from brain cancer in 2017. He is survived by daughters Kristen and Michelle, as well as his stepchildren with his current wife, Donna

See also  Raheem Sterling 'won't return to England's World Cup camp until his family is safe' after burglary

The PGA Tour’s Mark Wilson described Bryant as a kind person and ‘one great golfer’

Bryant was preceded in death by his first wife Cathy, whom he was married to for 34 years until she died from brain cancer in 2017. He is survived by daughters Kristen and Michelle, as well as his stepchildren with his current wife, Donna. His brother, Brad, was also on the PGA Tour.

A Texas native who turned pro in 1986, Bryant did not win a tournament until his 187th event, the 2004 Valero Texas Open, when he was 41. At the time, he was the oldest first-time tour winner in nine years.

The following year, Bryant won twice, this time edging Tour legend Fred Couples by a shot at the Memorial and later beating runner-up Tiger Woods by six strokes at The Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. 

‘Some tried to make other’s lives better by just being kind,’ tweeted the PGA Tour’s Mark Wilson. ‘That’s how I think of Bart Bryant. And of course one great golfer. My prayers are with his family after this sudden loss.’

‘I spent almost all my professional life in the Golf business and I can tell you Bart and Brad were two of the nicest, kindest people you would ever want to meet,’ tweeted a fan. ‘I pray Brads (sic) faith and friends help him thru this horrible tragedy.’

Bart also played on the Champions Tour, where he won two events, including the  2013 Dick’s Sporting Goods Open.  

A Texas native who turned pro in 1986, Bryant did not win a tournament until his 187th event, the 2004 Valero Texas Open, when he was 41. At the time, he was the oldest first-time tour winner in nine years. The following year, Bryant won twice, this time edging Tour legend Fred Couples by a shot at the Memorial and later beating runner-up Tiger Woods by six strokes at The Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta (pictured)

Bart’s brother Brad (pictured) also had a successful PGA Tour career of his ownn