The world of PGA golf lost an absolute legend last week, saddening family, friends and fans around the globe.
According to Fox News, Andy Bean, a legend on the circuit, died at 70 after complications from a previous double lung replacement.
Bean reportedly experienced respiratory complications after a bout with COVID-19, which eventually forced him to make the decision to undergo a double lung transplant in September.
Andy Bean, 11-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 70 https://t.co/ZiRarRSV2a pic.twitter.com/lw5jCzvzT8
— New York Post (@nypost) October 14, 2023
PGA Tour Champions President Miller Brady released a heartfelt statement regarding Bean's passing, praising him for his contributions and acknowledging his good character.
"Andy was a tenacious competitor on the course but the kindest of men off of it," Brady said.
He added, "He was affectionately referred to as a gentle giant, someone who always had time for fans, the media and his fellow players. As a multiple-tournament winner after turning 50, he exemplified those same traits on PGA Tour Champions that he did during his stellar PGA Tour career. We send our best to Andy’s family."
Bean snagged an impressive number of tournament wins, including 11 PGA Tour wins and three Champions Tour wins. He began his golf career with the Florida Gators.
Fox News noted:
During his time at Florida, Bean competed on a team that featured future PGA Tour players Gary Koch, Woody Blackburn, Phil Hancock and current Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley.
Given his popularity and notoriety in the sport, tributes poured in across social media after news of his passing was announced.
#RIP Andy Bean 🇺🇸⛳️(70)
Golfer with 11 #PGATour wins, the most notable being the 1986 Byron Nelson Golf Classic. Finished 2nd 3 times in Majors, in the PGA in 1980 & 1989 & The Open in 1983. #RyderCup player in 1979 & 1987 with a record of 4-2-0 pic.twitter.com/7bmSLToj1w
— Sporting Obituaries (@SportIconObit) October 14, 2023
Another X user wrote, "Sad to hear death of Andy Bean at 70. Was a tremendous player Golfer and could hit it a mile. A giant of a man 6ft 4 250 lbs. If he had played today in his prime with bs tech we have. He would be driving ball 350 yards of the tee."
RIP Andy Bean… sad to hear about the passing of this gentle giant today… remember him and Mark O’Meara playing exhibition matchplay matches against David Frost and Fulton Allem in South Africa around 1996. I got to meet him here in Orlando a few years back… what a kind man. pic.twitter.com/KM1PaWyZd1
— Johan Immelman 🇿🇦🇺🇸 (@johan_immelman) October 15, 2023
Clearly, Bean will be remembered for his contributions to the sport, and for just being a good human being on and off the golf course.
