Notah Begay III Named 2026 Payne Stewart Award Recipient

Notah Begay III was named the 2026 Payne Stewart Award recipient on July 20 during an NBC rehearsal ahead of The Open Championship. Aaron Stewart, son of the late Payne Stewart, presented the award in the broadcast booth. Forbes reported that Begay, a four-time PGA Tour winner and longtime broadcaster, founded the NB3 Foundation in 2005.

The organization has invested more than $10 million in Native communities and supported more than 85,000 Native youth through fitness, nutrition and health programs. The recipient receives a $500,000 charitable grant from Southern Company. Begay directed $200,000 to the NB3 Foundation and $100,000 to the Albuquerque Community Foundation.

The 7th annual Native Youth Golf Championship, hosted by the foundation at New Santa Ana GC in New Mexico, concludes on July 21. The award ceremony honoring Begay will be televised on Golf Channel on August 25 from 7-8 p.m. ET during the TOUR Championship.