American Century Celebrity Golf Championship Tournament

Davante Adams, J.J. Watt, NY Jets coach Robert Salah among first-timers headed to 2023 American Century Championship

One notable absence is Justin Timberlake, who will not be able to play in this summer’s event due to a scheduling conflict.

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Several new faces will be in the field this summer at the celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood, along with many of the longtime fan favorites.

Among the newcomers, Las Vegas Raiders receiver Davante Adams is making his debut in the American Century Championship, set for July 12-16 at Edgewood.

More first-timers include comedian Nate Bargatze; Mike Golic, former NFL lineman and radio personality; Alex Killorn, forward with the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning; Zach LaVine, All-Star forward with the NBA’s Chicago Bulls; Baker Mayfield, quarterback with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Robert Saleh, coach of the New York Jets and a former San Francisco 49ers assistant; and JJ Watt, a former NFL All-Pro defensive end.

One notable absence is Justin Timberlake, who will not be able to play in this summer’s event due to a scheduling conflict.

The celebrity golf event at Edgewood, entering its 34th year, also raises funds for local and national charities and distributes a purse of $600,000. The tournament is a 54-hole modified Stableford format.

American Century Championship — Annika Sorenstam during the ACC Golf Tournament at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe on Sunday, July 11, 2021. (Photo by Tom R. Smedes/Special to RGJ)

2023 celebrity golf acceptance list

As of March 25, 2023

* – first year participants

*Davante Adams, NFL All-Pro wide receiver, Las Vegas Raiders
Josh Allen, NFL Pro Bowl quarterback, Buffalo Bills
Marcus Allen, NFL Hall of Fame running back
Ray Allen, Hall of Fame NBA guard
Bret Baier, FOX News chief political correspondent
Ronde Barber, NFL Hall of Fame cornerback
*Nate Bargatze, comedian
Charles Barkley, NBA Hall of Famer / analyst: Inside the NBA
Brian Baumgartner, actor/comedian: The Office
Jerome Bettis, Pro Football Hall of Fame running back
Tim Brown, NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver
Joe Buck, play-by-play Monday Night Football
Reggie Bush, former All-Pro NFL running back / Heisman winner
Canelo Alvarez, best pound-for-pound boxer in the world
Derek Carr, NFL Pro Bowl quarterback, New Orleans Saints
Vince Carter, former NBA All-Star guard/forward
Chace Crawford, actor, “The Boys” and “Gossip Girl”
Dell Curry, former NBA guard
Seth Curry, Brooklyn Nets guard
Stephen Curry, four-time NBA champ and two-time NBA MVP, Golden State Warriors
Vinny Del Negro, former NBA head coach
Jay DeMarcus, singer/musician, Rascal Flatts
Dylan Dreyer, Today Show anchor and meteorologist
John Elway, NFL Pro Bowl quarterback
Marshall Faulk, NFL Hall of Fame running back
Mardy Fish, professional tennis player
Larry Fitzgerald, former All-Pro NFL wide receiver
Ryan Fitzpatrick, former NFL quarterback
Dwight Freeney, former All-Pro NFL defensive end
Jared Goff, NFL Pro Bowl quarterback, Detroit Lions
*Mike Golic, former NFL lineman and radio host/personality
Robbie Gould, All-Pro NFL placekicker, San Francisco 49ers
AJ Hawk, former NFL Pro Bowl linebacker
Colin Jost, comedian/actor/writer: lead writer for Saturday Night Live
Travis Kelce, All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl champion tight end KC Chiefs
*Alex Killorn, NHL forward, Tampa Bay Lightning
Larry the Cable Guy, actor/comedian
*Zach LaVine, All-Star NBA forward, Chicago Bulls
Jon Lester, former MLB All-Star pitcher
Derek Lowe, former MLB All-Star pitcher
Kyle Lowry, All-Star NBA guard, Miami Heat
Patrick Mahomes, NFL MVP and two-time Super Bowl champion, quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs
Joe Mauer, former MLB MVP catcher
*Baker Mayfield, Heisman Trophy winner and quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pat McAfee, host, “The Pat McAfee Show,” former All-Pro punter
Jim McMahon, former NFL Pro Bowl quarterback
Kevin Millar, former MLB player, current MLB analyst
The Miz, professional wrestler, WWE
Mark Mulder, former MLB All-Star pitcher
John O’Hurley, actor, “Seinfeld”
TJ Oshie, NHL All-Star forward, Washington Capitals
Jake Owen, country recording artist
Joe Pavelski, All-Star NHL forward, Dallas Stars
Doug Pederson, head coach, Jacksonville Jaguars
Michael Peña, actor, “Fantasy Island,” “Narcos: Mexico”
Patrick Peterson, All-Pro NFL cornerback, Pittsburgh Steelers
Dan Quayle, former vice president of the United States
Alfonso Ribeiro, actor, “Fresh Prince of Bel Air”
Jerry Rice, Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver
Rob Riggle, actor/comedian
Aaron Rodgers, All-Pro NFL quarterback
Ray Romano, actor, “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Ice Age”
Tony Romo, former Pro Bowl quarterback, Dallas Cowboys
CC Sabathia, former MLB Cy Young award-winning pitcher
*Robert Saleh, head coach, New York Jets
Jason Scheff, musician, Chicago
Alex Smith, former Pro Bowl NFL quarterback
Emmitt Smith, Pro Football Hall of Fame running back
John Smoltz, MLB Hall of Fame pitcher
Annika Sorenstam, World Golf Hall of Fame member, 72-time winner, LPGA
Kathryn Tappen, reporter, NBC Sports
Miles Teller, actor, “Top Gun: Maverick,” “The Offer”
Joe Theismann, former MVP and All-Pro NFL quarterback
Adam Thielen, Pro-Bowl NFL wide receiver Carolina Panthers
Brian Urlacher, Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker
Shane Victorino, former MLB All-Star outfielder
Mike Vrabel, NFL head coach, Tennessee Titans
Jack Wagner, actor and singer, “General Hospital”
Tim Wakefield, former MLB All-Star pitcher
*JJ Watt, former All-Pro NFL defensive end
DeMarcus Ware, Hall of Fame NFL defensive end
David Wells, former MLB All-Star pitcher
Jayson Werth, former MLB All-Star outfielder
Andrew Whitworth, former All-Pro NFL offensive lineman
Charles Woodson, Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back
Steve Young, Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback

Former Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo wins playoff for third American Century Celebrity Championship title

Romo previously won at Lake Tahoe in 2018 and 2019.

STATELINE, Nev. — After Mark Mulder held the lead for most of the day, there was some drama to end the 2022 American Century Celebrity Golf Championship.

It came down to two playoff holes and sudden-death drama between three players — Mark Mulder, Tony Romo and Joe Pavelski — to determine the winner. It was the first three-way playoff in tournament history and the fifth playoff overall, and comes off a playoff last year, when Vinny Del Negro outlasted John Smoltz.

They played the 18th hole twice, with Romo emerging the champion after the second trip down No. 18.

All three finished regulation play with 62 points. Romo earned 25 points on Sunday to move into a tie for the lead. Mulder had 17 points Sunday and Pavelski had 27 in the Modified Stableford scoring system.

Mulder had held the lead after the first two days, and for most of Sunday’s round.

But he said he played too conservatively on Sunday.

“I wasn’t nervous, I wasn’t scared, I wasn’t anything. I had a lead. I just played very conservative, unfortunately. It’s as simple as that,” Mulder said.

Romo had four birdies and a bogey on Sunday.

“You work so hard to get in position at the end to be in contention. And once you’re there, it’s actually — that’s kind of fun. That’s what makes it enjoyable. The hard part is getting there,” Romo said. “But feels like once you’re there, you really lock in on exactly what you’re doing. You don’t do a little bit of this or that; you’re like 100 percent, I call it. That’s what I did on the back nine and in the playoff, and just try and do that every time. But it just narrows your focus a little bit more.”

Romo said all his wins at Edgewood are special, but this one stands out a little bit because his children are older and can appreciate it more.

“One of the things I would say that’s a little bit more special about this one is my boys, too, that are older. Jones is 4, so he’ll have glimpses and memories of this a little bit, but the 10- and 8-year-old, Hawk and Riv, they were just so into it,” Romo said. “They were so nervous. They were following me around, and they were like, ‘Let’s go, Dad. Come on. If you do this, we have a chance. He’s like, You could finish third if you keep playing good, Dad.'”

“Afterwards he’s like, ‘I did not think you could do better than third. This is crazy.’ I was like, I know. You don’t get to eat ice cream tonight out of the trophy then, son.”

Pavelski, who plays for the Dallas Stars, would have been the second active NHL player to win the tournament. Mario Lemieux won it in 1998.

Annika Sorenstam finished in a tie for fourth place with Adam Thielen, and Mardy Fish finished in sixth.

It was Romo’s third win in the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament with the other wins coming in 2018 and 2019.

Mulder also won the ACC three times, from 2015-17. Rick Rhoden won it seven times and Dan Quinn won four titles.

Romo had no time to celebrate as he is playing a U.S. Amateur qualifying event on Monday in Texas.

The overall purse was $600,000, with $125,000 going to the winner. But Romo donated his prize money to South Lake Tahoe charities.

The tournament has raised $6 million for charity over the years.

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Photos: American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe

Take a look at the action from the 2022 American Century Championship.

One of the most exciting celebrity golf events of the year is taking place this weekend at Lake Tahoe.

The 2022 American Century Championship, with a field comprised of celebrities, started Friday at Edgewood Tahoe in Stateline, Nevada. This year’s field is the strongest in 33 years.

There have been no shortage of highlights thus far, either. Stephen Curry, who won the NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors last month, continued his stellar shooting from deep with a 97-yard hole out for eagle.

There’s also plenty of side bets going on, like Charles Barkley doing whatever he can to try and cut off Aaron Rodgers’ man bun.

There’s still plenty of time left to determine who will be the champion, but Washington Capitals forward TJ Oshie led after the first day.

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12 newcomers highlight strongest American Century Championship field in 33 years

Lake Tahoe hosts the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament from July 8-10.

There are only a few celebrities who have an actual chance to win, but this year that number is higher than it has ever been.

When the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament begins Friday at Edgewood Tahoe, it will feature the strongest field it has had in its 33-year history.

Celebrities participating in the ACC this week include Justin Timberlake; Stephen, Dell and Seth Curry; Annika Sorenstam; Patrick Mahomes; Tony Romo; Aaron Rodgers; Charles Barkley; defending champion Vinny Del Negro and first-time participants Colin Jost of Saturday Night Live, WWE Superstar The Miz, and singers/songwriters Nick Jonas and Jake Owen.

The field has 87 participants from sports and entertainment competing in the 54-hole tournament, which utilizes the modified stableford scoring system.

One difference from the past two years is a full gallery of spectators will be admitted into Edgewood. Capacity was limited to 50 percent last year and no fans were allowed in 2020 due to pandemic restrictions

The field collectively represents 17 Hall of Famers, 13 Most Valuable Player award-winners and multiple Cy Young and Player of the Year award-winners, as well as multiple Grammy and Emmy award-winners.

There are 12 first-time participants including Alex Caruso, Dwight Freeney, Robert Griffin III, Nick Jonas, Colin Jost, Jon Lester, Pat McAfee, The Miz, Jake Owen, Jason Scheff, Harrison Smith and Jayson Werth.

There are four women in the field, including World Golf Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam, who is competing in the ACC for the third time (2014, 2021).

She will be joined by Today Show anchor/meteorologist Dylan Dreyer, golf personality Paige Spiranac and NBC Sports reporter Kathryn Tappen in the field.

Favorites to win

Vinny Del Negro won in a playoff over John Smoltz last year.

Those two, along with three-time champion Mark Mulder, two-time champ Tony Romo and Mardy Fish, who won in 2020, will likely be among the contenders.

But also look for Annika Sorenstam, who was in contention last year, and Steph Curry is almost always near the top of the leaderboard.

NBC Sports broadcast team

Host Steve Sands and analyst Peter Jacobsen will anchor NBC Sports’ live tournament coverage. They will be joined by Jimmy Roberts as a hole announcer, along with Notah Begay and John Wood reporting from the course. Kira K. Dixon will conduct interviews with players in the field throughout the championship.

American Century Championship Tournament Airtimes

Friday: Peacock, NBC Sports Digital 1-3 p.m.; GOLF Channel 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Saturday: NBC, Peacock, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sunday: NBC. Peacock, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. (Live)

NBC Sports’ coverage of the American Century Championship will be streamed via NBCSports.com as well as on the NBC Sports app. The official tournament website – www.AmericanCenturyChampionship.com – will have videos, photos and live scoring.

Tickets

Tickets are $30 Thursday and $40 each day Friday through Sunday. Tickets must be purchased online at americancenturychampionship.com.

More than $6M donated to charity

Since the tournament’s inception in 1980, the American Century Championship has donated more than $6 million to charity and nonprofits.

The event features a $600,000 purse, with $125,000 going to the winner. Many past prize-winners donate their winnings to charities and nonprofits.

Vinny Del Negro celebrates after winning the ACC Golf Tournament at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe on Sunday, July 11, 2021. (Tom R. Smedes/Special to Reno Gazette-Journal)

The celebrities

Josh Allen, NFL Pro Bowl quarterback, Buffalo Bills

Marcus Allen, Pro Football Hall of Fame running back

Anthony Anderson, actor/comedian, “Law and Order” and “Black-ish”

Bret Baier, FOX News chief political correspondent

Charles Barkley, NBA Hall of Fame forward and analyst, “Inside the NBA”

Brian Baumgartner, actor/comedian, “The Office”

Jerome Bettis, Pro Football Hall of Fame running back

Jay Bilas, ESPN college basketball analyst

Tim Brown, Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver

Joe Buck, play-by-play announcer, “Monday Night Football”

David Carr, former NFL quarterback, current NFL analyst

Derek Carr, NFL Pro Bowl quarterback, Las Vegas Raiders

Vince Carter, former NBA All-Star guard/forward

Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls guard

Dell Curry, former NBA guard

Seth Curry, Brooklyn Nets guard

Stephen Curry, four-time NBA champion and two-time NBA MVP, Golden State Warriors

Vinny Del Negro, former NBA head coach

Jay DeMarcus, singer/musician, Rascal Flatts

Dylan Dreyer, Today Show anchor and meteorologist

Marshall Faulk, Pro Football Hall of Fame running back

Mardy Fish, professional tennis player

Larry Fitzgerald, former All-Pro NFL wide receiver

Dwight Freeney, former All-Pro NFL defensive end

Tom Glavine, MLB Hall of Fame pitcher

Robbie Gould, All-Pro NFL placekicker, SF 49ers

Robert Griffin III, former NFL Pro Bowl quarterback

AJ Hawk, former NFL Pro Bowl linebacker

Andre Iguodala, four-time NBA champion, forward, Golden State Warriors

Nick Jonas, actor/musician, Jonas Brothers, “Jumanji”

Colin Jost, comedian/actor/writer, lead writer for “Saturday Night Live”

Travis Kelce, All-Pro NFL tight end, Kansas City Chiefs

Larry the Cable Guy, actor/comedian

Jon Lester, former All-Star MLB pitcher

Derek Lowe, former All-Star MLB pitcher

Kyle Lowry, All-Star NBA guard, Miami Heat

Patrick Mahomes, NFL MVP quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs

Joe Mauer, former MLB MVP catcher

Pat McAfee, host, “Pat McAfee Show,” former All-Pro punter

Brian McCann, former MLB All-Star catcher

Jim McMahon, former NFL Pro Bowl quarterback

Kevin Millar former MLB player, current MLB analyst

The Miz, professional wrestler, WWE

Mike Modano, NHL Hall of Fame forward

Mark Mulder, former MLB All-Star pitcher

Adam Napier, Wounded Warrior, captain, U.S. Army; winner, Warrior Open

John O’Hurley, actor, J. Peterman on “Seinfeld”

TJ Oshie, All-Star NFL forward, Washington Capitals

Jake Owen, country recording artist

Carson Palmer, former Pro-Bowl NFL quarterback

Joe Pavelski, All-Star NHL forward, Dallas Stars

Michael Pena, actor, “Fantasy Island,” “Narcos Mexico”

Patrick Peterson, All-Pro NFL cornerback, Minnesota Vikings

Alfonso Ribeiro, actor, “Fresh Prince of Bel Air”

Jerry Rice, Pro Football Hall-of-Fame wide receiver

Rob Riggle, actor/comedian

Aaron Rodgers, All-Pro NFL quarterback, Green Bay Packers

Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, MLB Hall of Fame catcher

Jimmy Rollins, former MLB MVP shortstop

Ray Romano, actor, “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Ice Age”

Tony Romo, former Pro Bowl quarterback, Dallas Cowboys

CC Sabathia, former MLB Cy Young pitcher

Jason Scheff, musician, Chicago

Alex Smith, former Pro Bowl NFL quarterback

Emmitt Smith, Pro Football Hall of Fame running back

Harrison Smith, All-Pro NFL safety, Minnesota Vikings

John Smoltz, MLB Hall of Fame pitcher

Annika Sorenstam, World Golf Hall of Fame member, 72-time winner, LPGA

Paige Spiranac, golf social media influencer

Kathryn Tappen, reporter, NBC Sports

Miles Teller, actor, “Top Gun: Maverick,” “The Offer”

Joe Theismann, former MVP and All-Pro NFL quarterback

Adam Thielen, Pro-Bowl NFL wide receiver, Minnesota Vikings

Justin Timberlake, Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter

Brian Urlacher, Pro Football Hall-of-Fame linebacker

Chase Utley, former All-Star MLB second baseman

Shane Victorino, former MLB All Star outfielder

Mike Vrabel, NFL head coach, Tennessee Titans

Jack Wagner, actor and singer, “General Hospital”

Tim Wakefield, former MLB All-Star pitcher

DeMarcus Ware, former All-Pro NFL defensive end

David Wells, former MLB All-Star pitcher

Jayson Werth, former MLB All-Star outfielder

Andrew Whitworth, Super Bowl LVI champion, offensive tackle, Los Angeles Rams

Kyle Williams, former NFL Pro Bowl defensive tackle

Charles Woodson, Pro Football Hall-of-Fame defensive back

Steve Young, Pro Football Hall-of-Fame quarterback

Jim Krajewski covers high school and youth sports for the Reno Gazette Journal. Follow him on Twitter @RGJPreps. Support his work by subscribing to RGJ.com.

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Mike Modano makes first-ever albatross in American Century Championship, ties for lead

Mike Modano’s second shot from 200 yards out went in the hole, giving him 10 points and vaulting him into a tie for the lead.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Nev. — The best start he’s ever had puts John Smoltz a step closer to realizing a goal he has long held, winning the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe.

Smoltz scored 25 points in Friday’s first round, which put him in a tie atop the leaderboard with Mike Modano.

Smoltz, the former Major League Baseball pitcher and Hall of Famer has always golfed well at Edgewood, but has never won.

He said getting out to a strong start was paramount this year.

Modano made a double-eagle on the par-5 No. 18, the first time that has been done in tournament history, for 10 points on the hole and 25 for the day.

Modano, who said he was about 200 yards out on his second shot on No. 18, was still in disbelief after his round.

“I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it. We were struggling between the 6 and 7. I was, like, I just want to try to ride the wind and just avoid Laimbeer’s Lake there and get on the putting surface,” Modano said. “It came off good. My eyesight is shot at 51. So I’m, like, I can’t see things halfway off the club. TJ (Oshie) went crazy. And some people over by the side went nuts. I was like, man, that may have went in. So pretty cool.”

HISTORY MADE! 🤯

Mike Modano shares the lead after the first ever double eagle at the @ACChampionship. @9modano // #ACCGolf pic.twitter.com/d0t4TijisZ

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) July 10, 2021

Two-time winner Jack Wagner also had a strong start, scoring 24 points Friday as did Joe Pavelski. Kyle Williams, Vinny Del Negro and Annika Sorenstam each scored 23.

Wagner, 61, is one of two players, along with Jim McMahon, to compete in all 32 celebrity tournaments at Edgewood.

Smoltz made five birdies Friday, worth 3 points each, and had three putts lip out, or he could had an even better round.

The fans are back at Edgewood this year, after not being allowed in 2020, and the energy was palpable.

Especially along No, 17, the beach hole, where boats and fans lined both sides of the fairway and green.

Smoltz noticed the difference.

“It’s awesome. I absolutely love it. With that comes a little bit of nerves,” he said. “The beauty of today, our group was Joe Buck and Joe Mauer and the pace was consistent. So it didn’t feel like the 30-minute, 20-minute waits which really helps me because of my body.

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Smoltz, 57, has been telling anyone who would listen that he really wants to win the ACC.

“I think they thought I was crazy, my life would be incomplete if I don’t win Tahoe. They’re like, ‘you can’t be serious,'” Smoltz said. “I’m serious. This is the event I’ve always wanted. It’s followed my career. I’m supposed to win a Cy Young, and finally did in ’96. But you’re always trying to feel like, when people tell you should win or win a Cy Young and you’re not doing it, even though my expectations are higher — it’s the same feeling here. It’s like, oh, I can’t believe you haven’t won yet. All my buddies back home. I want to be the oldest winner and I can kind of shut them up.”

Sorenstam had an appreciative following Friday. She joked that they are her neighbors.

“The first tee was special. But even throughout the other holes. They’re so positive and cheering on and encouraging. It’s really nice to see that,” Sorenstam said. “It’s not something I’m used to now. And to go up there it makes me want to play well and hit good shots. I’m thankful they came out and are watching and hopefully they’ll have a good time as well.”

The celebrities competing in the celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood this week seem to think Charles Barkley has, indeed, improved at golf.

Barkley, the NBA analyst, Hall of Fame player and a fan favorite, has forever battled his swing and almost always placed last or second to last in the field of about 85-90 celebrities.

But after last year’s tournament, he began working with golf coach Stan Utley, and the talk has been that Barkley’s game was much improved.

That led to the Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill to post the following proposition bet: Will Barkley finish among the top 70?

A ‘yes’ opened at 16-to-1, meaning a $100 bet would return $1,600, but betting in support of Barkley was so strong at Caesars and William Hill platforms that the odds kept dropping. When betting closed at the start of Barkley’s first round Friday at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, it was down to 4-to-1.

After Friday’s round, Barkley was tied for 82nd place with minus-16 points.

The 54-hole tournament concludes Sunday. It is televised live on NBC (Saturday and Sunday), as well as live streamed on the NBC Sports app.

Annika Sorenstam expects to compete with celebrities at American Century, but golf is not priority anymore

She is one of the greatest women golfers to ever play the game, but this week is more about having fun for Annika Sorenstam.

RENO, Nev. – She is one of the greatest women golfers to ever play the game, but this week is more about having fun for Annika Sorenstam.

It’s also a homecoming, of sorts, for the retired Swedish golfer.

Sorenstam, who lives part-time at Lake Tahoe, last played in the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in 2014, when she finished in second place with 65 points.

She is an eight-time Player of the Year on the LPGA tour and a Hall of Famer.

Before playing the tournament in 2014, Sorenstam played a practice round on the back nine with Michael Jordan Sorenstam and Ahmad Rashad. She shot a 33 that day.

“That was a lot of fun. That’s what this tournament brings. It brings out the best in all these different athletes. And obviously to get a chance to play with Michael Jordan was a treat,” Sorenstam said of that practice round.

Sorenstam retired in 2008 and has been focusing on raising her children since then. But one of her sons, Will, is picking up the game, which is getting Sorenstam back on the course more often.

She will turn 51 later this year and said playing on a senior tour for women is a possibility.

Her husband will be her caddie this week for the celebrity tournament.

She expects to compete, but is still not at the level she was as an elite pro.

“I worked a little bit on my game just to fine-tune it. Especially when you’re away, I would have a few good holes, but it’s always one or two holes that would ruin the round,” she said. “I’m trying to get a little more consistent and try to go out there and score and finish up and not just pick up those three-footers and walk the fairways and not just ride the golf course. So it’s nice to be back and just really enjoying it.”

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Sorenstam said that while golf is not her priority, being back on a course fires up her competitive nature.

“It’s funny, there’s certain things that don’t go away and some things go away. When I’m out there playing, some things feel very natural and there’s some things that don’t feel so natural. I would say once I’m inside the ropes I’m still quite competitive,” Sorenstam said. “I like the feel when hitting a good shot and I like the feeling of making a putt. And that I don’t think will ever go away. But I think I’m having an easier time leaving the course and forgetting about my shots.”

Immediately after Thursday’s celeb-am, her attention turned to her family and what they were doing for dinner.

She appreciates the variety in her life now, saying golf is part of it, but not the main focus.

“I’m wearing all these different hats. It’s nice to be able to have that option and not just feel like golf is my life and that’s the only thing I have in the country,” she said. “I feel like I have a lot of really nice things going, whether it’s the Annika Foundation and my partners. I keep busy. It’s nice to be able to leave the game on the course and just move on.”

Sorenstam is one of the betting favorites in the ACC this week, at 8-to-1 odds.

But she said she does not worry about odds and does not know much about betting.

“The key for me this week is, other than just having fun, is just play my own game,” she said. “I don’t hit it as far as these guys. And if I can hit fairways and greens and have birdie opportunities, it’s going to be fun. And hopefully, I can post something, and we’ll see where that puts me.”

She said Edgewood is drying out a little this week, especially on the greens, which should help her game.

Sorenstam is one of three women playing in the ACC this week, along with Kira K. Dixon and Dylan Dreyer.

She’d like to see more women playing the ACC, athletes and from other fields such as acting or singing.

“I know with COVID it’s a little restricted with some of the events, but this is a fun week. This is a party week. This is social week,” Sorenstam said. “This is building memories and friendships. And I think that’s what many of the players are looking forward to.”

She won’t have the distance as most of the players in the field this week, but her short game should make up for that.

“I have to have the mindset of trying to hit the fairway, trying to get on the green first, and show them where the flag is,” she said. “That’s really what this game is about, is about getting the ball in the hole. You can only do what you can do. And I’m very aware of my strengths and aware of my weaknesses and where I am today. And just putting a good score together, it’s what I’m going to try and do. And like I say, we’ll see how many points there will be and we’ll see where that puts me.”

Jim Krajewski covers high school and youth sports for the Reno Gazette Journal. Follow him on Twitter @RGJPreps. Support his work by subscribing to RGJ.com.

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Annika Sorenstam expects to compete with celebrities at American Century, but golf is not priority anymore

She is one of the greatest women golfers to ever play the game, but this week is more about having fun for Annika Sorenstam.