Tiger Woods' heartfelt words to Notah Begay as longtime friend receives Payne Stewart Award

Tiger Woods delivered a heartfelt message to longtime friend and former PGA Tour professional Notah Begay III during Tuesday night's Payne Stewart Award ceremony in Atlanta.

Begay, a four-time PGA Tour winner and founder of the NB3 Foundation, was honoured with the prestigious award for his character, sportsmanship and commitment to charitable giving.

The Payne Stewart Award is presented annually to a professional golfer who best exemplifies the values of the late three-time major champion, who died aged 42 in a plane crash in 1999.

Woods, 50, appeared via video (scroll down to watch) to congratulate Begay, 53, reflecting on a friendship that began when they were both young.

"It's been an unbelievable ride with you," Woods said.

"You first came into my life when I was 11 years old, playing in the Junior World and you came out to watch me play, and our friendship has started there and never ended."

Woods, who played alongside Begay at the 2000 Presidents Cup, was particularly keen to highlight his friend's work away from professional golf.

"To see what you've done off the golf course, and I know you've won four times on the Tour and played in the Presidents Cup where we played together, but to see what you've done off the course and for your local Native American communities, you've helped over 80,000 youths and their families."

He added: "More people need to know what you've done and how you've served... you've given back to the tribal lands and what you have done, because there are so many people out there who are struggling in those communities."

The 15-time major champion ended his message with a personal tribute to his longtime friend.

"Thank you for coming to see me play, thank you for getting our friendship started, and I love you dude."

Watch Woods' message in full:

Begay then delivered an emotional acceptance speech, admitting he never expected someone from his background to receive the award.

"I never thought that I could actually become a Payne Stewart Award recipient [because] people like me don't win awards like this," Begay said.

"I come from a community where Native Americans have the shortest lifespan in America."

Begay III won all four of his PGA Tour titles between August 1999 and July 2000 and reached a career-high world ranking of 19th. 

The American's best major finish was eighth at the 2000 PGA Championship, won by Woods after a playoff against Bob May.

Begay's professional golf career was primarily cut short by severe, chronic back injuries that required extensive rehabilitation and derailed his consistency in his 30s.

He currently works as a golf analyst and on-course reporter for NBC Sports and the Golf Channel.

Watch some of Begay's speech:

Tiger Woods welcomes Tour Championship changes for 2028

Earlier on Tuesday, Woods also welcomed the PGA Tour's decision to introduce match play to the Tour Championship from 2028.

"The conclusion of the season should be worthy of the journey it takes to get there," the 82-time PGA Tour winner posted on X. 

"Excited to usher in a new era of match play on the PGA Tour."

Woods remains away from competitive golf as he continues his recovery following his March car crash and DUI arrest in Florida.

The former World No.1 is due to make his first courtroom appearance on September 8 in connection with the case.