Businessman Dermot Desmond, a close personal friend of Payne Stewart, spoke of the overwhelming sadness at the passing of the American golfer in such tragic circumstances.

Stewart, he contended, inspired affection through his easygoing and genial manner, enriching the life of those with whom he came in contact. The Irish financier was responsible for persuading the great American to visit Ireland in recent years.

Along with JP McManus, Desmond enjoyed a very close relationship with Stewart. This was manifest in the golfer's intention to take part next year in a charity classic, organised by McManus.

Desmond offered this insight into the personality of the man behind the icon. "He was a wonderful person. No matter whether he encountered a five-year-old or a 70-year-old, Payne was always so personable.

"You felt better having been in his presence. He was more interested in people than in talking about himself. He was a great character, extremely sociable."

Desmond's friendship with Stewart began several years ago in America. "He's come over to Ireland and been our guest. I suppose we just developed a rapport. I considered him a very close friend."

He spoke of the American's last visit to Ireland in preparation for last year's British Open. Stewart famously entertained those fortunate enough to be in Waterville until the small hours of the morning.

"He liked to fish, play golf - sociable golf - and entertain. He was a very good entertainer whether it was singing, playing the harmonica of pulling pints behind the bar.

"The people of Waterville loved him and honoured him by making him honorary captain of the club for the year 2000.

"While it is devastating for those acquainted with him the greater tragedy is that he has left behind two children and their mother and my thoughts go to them," said the Irishman.

Desmond spoke of knowing Stewart as a "gentleman", a man who liked to play golf in a competitive vein, but with a sense of fun, characterised by a smile and a joke. He wasn't adverse to a little hustling, but in a good-natured way.

He also referred to the sadness that JP McManus would feel. "He was very close to Payne, indeed his whole family was. He's (Stewart) a person that's going to be missed, not just at one tournament, not one day a year or one week but all the time. It's a very sad occasion."