Notah Begay III receives PGA Tour's Payne Stewart Award

Native golfer and youth advocate honored for leadership, sportsmanship, community service

July 23, 2026

Notah Begay III, a four-time PGA Tour winner and founder of the NB3 Foundation, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Payne Stewart Award, according to a PGA Tour announcement reported by Reuters. The award recognizes a player who reflects the late Payne Stewart's values of character, charity and sportsmanship. Begay, identified as the only full-blooded Native American to compete on the PGA Tour, said the recognition provides another opportunity to support the communities he has represented and inspire future generations.

Begay founded the NB3 Foundation in 2005 to promote the health, development and physical activity of Native American children, according the Reuters reporting. He has also worked to expand access to golf for Native youth and currently serves as a Golf Channel analyst. Begay will be honored Aug. 25 during the Payne Stewart Award Ceremony held in conjunction with the 2026 TOUR Championship in Atlanta.

1.Reuters, Jul. 20, 2026.

1.Reuters, Jul. 20, 2026.

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