PREVIEW: Reno-Tahoe Open - Wednesday, August 23, 2006

RENO, Nev. -- His back is 100-percent healthy. His mind is right. His game is prepared. Throw in a dash of momentum and Notah Begay III might just capture his fifth PGA Tour victory this weekend at the Reno-Tahoe Open.

"As long as you keep your work ethic up and you prepare to win every week, which I've done, you've got to be ready to embrace the momentum when it comes your way," Notah told the Reno Gazette-Journal earlier this week.

In the inaugural Reno-Tahoe Open in 1999, Notah earned his first PGA Tour victory and became the first Native American to win on Tour since 1974 (Rod Curl). This week, he returns to the breathtaking Montreux Golf & Country Club, attempting to add a second RTO title to his resume.

"(I)'ve got a lot of good memories," Notah said, "from the people to the golf course to the sensation of winning. I think Tiger put it best. You just see yourself making those putts whenever you replay the holes. So the mind works in funny ways. It's definitely good."

This week's field includes major winners Nick Price, David Duval, Rich Beem, Shaun Micheel, Larry Mize and Mark Brooks, along with past RTO winners John Cook (2001), Chris Riley (2002) and Kirk Triplett (2003).

Notah, paired with veteran Donnie Hammond and Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson, is part of the first group scheduled to tee-off at 10 am (ET) in Thursday’s first round.

Be sure to check back with Notah.com to follow NB3 in his quest for win No. 5 on the PGA Tour.

THIS WEEK'S BREAKDOWN

Notah's History at the Reno-Tahoe Open (1-3 vs. the cut)
2005 - Reno-Tahoe Open - cut (73, 74) = 147 (3)
2004 - Reno-Tahoe Open - cut (73, 76) = 149 (5)
2003 - Reno-Tahoe Open - cut (72, 76) = 148 (4)
1999 - Reno-Tahoe Open - 1 (70, 69, 63, 72) = 274 (-14) $495,000.00

Course
Montreux Golf and Country Club, Reno, Nev.

Notah's Group (Rounds 1 & 2)
Donnie Hammond (Frederick, Md.)
Fredrik Jacobson (Gothenburg, Sweden)

Notah's Tee Times (ET)
Th - 10 am (1st tee)
Fr - 3 pm (10th tee)

TV Times (ET)
Thu 10:30 pm -1 am (The Golf Channel)
Fri 10:30 pm -1 am (The Golf Channel)
Sat 10:30 pm -1 am (The Golf Channel)
Sun 10:30 pm -1 am (The Golf Channel)