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.
Aaron Rodgers wanted to finish in the top 20 at the American Century Championship. The Packers QB used an awesome Sunday to finish in 9th place.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers used a terrific Sunday performance to vault himself into the top 10 at the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe.
Before the tournament, Rodgers told “The Pat McAfee Show” that finishing in the top 20 would be an attainable “benchmark” for his 18th appearance. Mission accomplished. Rodgers shot a 72 on Sunday and ended with 50 total points (Stableford scoring format), giving him a ninth-place finish overall.
Rodgers was terrific in the third and final round. He birdied three straight holes to open the back nine and then eagled the Par 5 No. 18. Of his 50 points during the three days, 19 came on the final nine holes Sunday. He was -4 on the back nine, with three birdies, an eagle and one bogey.
Rodgers came into Sunday with 24 points. He scored 26 on Sunday.
Overall, Rodgers scored 38 of his 50 points on the back nine over the three rounds.
Rodgers finished behind the top eight of Joe Pavelski, Mark Mulder, Tony Romo, Annika Sorenstam, Adam Thielen, Mike Modano, Mardy Fish and Derek Lowe.
Rodgers finished the tournament at +13, with eight birdies, one eagle, 19 bogeys and two double bogeys. He was +15 on the front nine and -2 on the back nine overall.
Thanks to a bet with Charles Barkley, the Green Bay Packers quarterback’s hair is on the line.
Aaron Rodgers hasn’t missed an American Century Championship in the 18 years he’s been in the NFL, but his participation this year comes with a twist — a man bun twist.
Thanks to a bet with Charles Barkley, the Green Bay Packers quarterback’s hair is on the line during this weekend’s celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada. If Barkley finishes ahead of him, Rodgers said he’ll let the former NBA star cut off his man bun.
It’s not exactly a high-pressure wager, given Barkley’s history of finishing near the bottom of the tournament. Last year, he came in 76th of 88 golfers, which was his best finish in years.
So don’t expect Rodgers, who was sporting a mustache during Thursday’s practice rounds, to be sweating it when play begins today and runs through Sunday.
Barkley has made it clear he’s no fan of the bun.
“Just because you’re too cheap to cut your hair, you can’t make it a style,” Barkley joked during an appearance in Reno, Nevada, last month to promote the American Century Championship. “Man, here’s $25. Go down to Fantastic Sam’s and get that thing cut off the back of your head. Just because you don’t cut your hair, that’s not a style. But Aaron’s a much better golfer than me, but I’ll be happy to give a donation to his charity.”
If Rodgers wins, Barkley will donate $25,000 to the North Valley Community Foundation in Rodgers’ hometown of Chico, California. It’s the same charity Rodgers donated $1 million to establish NVCF’s Aaron Rodgers Small Business COVID-19 Fund. His 10-episode stint as guest “Jeopardy!” host in 2021 also raised $236,725 for the foundation.
Barkley made the bet with Rodgers during “The Match VI,” the made-for-TV golf competition that pitted Rodgers and Tom Brady against Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Rodgers and Brady won, but commentary from Barkley, who is a TNT analyst, made for some of the best entertainment.
Rodgers, who has finished in the top 20 of the American Century Championship in the last five years, will again be golfing with many of his friends, including former Packers players A.J. Hawk and Charles Woodson, “Top Gun: Maverick” actor Miles Teller, singer Justin Timberlake and Brian Baumgartner of “The Office.”
Rodgers shared a photo on his Instagram Story on Thursday of him posing with young Packers fans at the event.
All three rounds of the tournament will be broadcast live on Peacock from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. NBC will also pick up the live coverage on Saturday and Sunday. The Golf Channel will have taped coverage from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today and 2 to 5 a.m. Sunday. `
Contact Kendra Meinert at 920-431-8347 or kmeinert@greenbay.gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KendraMeinert.
Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is in a tie for 23rd place after shooting an opening round 80 at the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers recovered from a rocky front nine to shoot an opening-round 80 at the American Century Championship on Friday in Lake Tahoe.
Under the Stableford scoring system, Rodgers finished the round with 11 points, which is good for a tie for 23rd place.
The event is a 54-hole tournament, so Rodgers will be playing 18 more holes on Saturday and Sunday. He is grouped with Justin Timberlake and Steph Curry for his round on Saturday.
Rodgers had six bogeys and three pars while shooting 42 on the front nine. He rebounded over the final nine with two birdies and three pars, but a double-bogey on the Par 5 No. 18 put a damper on the round’s finish for the NFL MVP.
Rodgers birdied No. 11 and No. 12 and was as high as 13 points going into the final hole. But his double bogey on No. 18 subtracted two points.
NHL star TJ Oshie leads the field with 21 points. Among active NFL players, Rodgers trails only Adam Thielen (18 points) and Harrison Smith (14) of the Minnesota Vikings.
Rodgers told “The Pat McAfee Show” that he’d like to finish in the top 20. This is his 18th year playing in the tournament.
NBC will carry the broadcast of the championship on Saturday and Sunday.
The king of the long ball was at it again on Friday.
Steph Curry is no stranger to the long ball. He’s arguably in the top five most influential NBA players of all-time because of his incredible ability to drain three-pointers from all over the court.
Well, at this week’s American Century Championship, a golf tournament played in Lake Tahoe with a field full of stars from across sports, entertainment and more, Curry impressed with another long make.
On the 13th hole of Edgewood Tahoe, Curry had a 97-yard approach shot from the middle of the fairway.
And like Tom Brady a few years ago during the Match, he pulled the string on a wedge and found nothing but the bottom of the cup. And his reaction with dad, Dell, and brother, Seth, might have been better than the shot!
#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and TE Travis Kelce tee off in the American Century Championship on Friday. Find out how to watch them all weekend here:
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and TE Travis Kelce are set to participate in the American Century Championship for the third consecutive year. After two practice rounds against the competition on Wednesday and Thursday, the duo is ready to once again be the life of the party for the 33rd edition of the celebrity golf tournament. They’ll once again be paired with singer Justin Timberlake to open the tourney.
Below you’ll find all of the important details on how to watch and stream the “Super Bowl” of celebrity golf.
Schedule
Day 1: Friday, July 8 Tee time: 10:17 a.m. ET Broadcast: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. ET on Peacock / 7:30-9:30 p.m. ET on the Golf channel Day 2: Saturday, July 9 Tee time: TBD Broadcast: 2:30 – 6:00 p.m. ET on NBC Day 3: Sunday, July 10 Tee time: TBD Broadcast: 2:30 – 6:00 p.m. ET on NBC Location: Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course – Stateline, Nevada Streaming: fuboTV (free 7-day trial) Betting:via Tipico Sportsbook.
Rules
The American Century Championship uses modified Stableford rules in the 54-hole tournament. Points are awarded as follows: 10 points for a double eagle, 8 points for a hole in one, 3 points for a birdie, 1 point for par, no points for bogey, and minus 2 for double bogey.
Purse
The total purse for the event is $600K, with $125K going to the winner.
Charity
This year’s event benefits The Stowers Institute for Medical Research, which is described as a “world-class biomedical research organization dedicated to uncovering the causes, treatments and cures for life-threatening diseases.”
A #Chiefs fan had Patrick Mahomes sign his arm tattoo Wednesday at @ACChampionship practice. On Thursday, the fan returned with the signature tattooed on his arm as well.
One Kansas City Chiefs fan has taken his fandom to the next level after getting Patrick Mahomes to sign his arm.
Mahomes has been playing practice golf rounds at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nevada for the American Century Championship, which begins tomorrow. During Wednesday’s practice rounds, Mahomes stopped to greet some fans. One of those fans asked Mahomes to sign his tattoo, which features Mahomes celebrating the team’s Super Bowl LIV win. Mahomes happily obliged and GOLF.com’s Tim Reilly captured a video of the encounter, which you can watch above.
Surely, Mahomes thought signing the guy’s arm tattoo would be the end of it, but the star quarterback had an update to report on Thursday. He says that the fan returned on Friday to show Mahomes that he had his signature tattooed as well. Check it out:
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) July 7, 2022
Talk about dedication and passion for your team and quarterback! Now, the fan has a one-of-a-kind tattoo and a great story to go along with it. As for Mahomes, he has a unique memory look back on as well.
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
Charles Barkley hits a tee shot during the 2020 American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. (Photo by Tom R. Smedes/Special to RGJ)
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.
Tony Romo won the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in 2018 and 2019 at Edgewood Tahoe. (Photo by Jim Krajewski/RGJ)
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.
Paige Spiranac is in the field of 87 celebrities competing in the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe this week. (Photo by Andrew Jansen/News-Leader)
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
John Smoltz 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)
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
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)
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
Charles Barkley is done trying to convince the public he is a good golfer.
STATELINE, Nevada — Charles Barkley is done trying to convince the public he is a good golfer.
He knows he won’t win the celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe this summer, but he is pretty sure he won’t finish last.
Barkley spoke to the media this week during a press conference for the American Century Championship Celebrity Golf Tournament, July 6-10 at Edgewood Tahoe.
Barkley is listed at 7,500-1 odds to win, but the odds for him to finish in the top 70, in the 90-person tournament, are not quite as long. Caesars Sportsbook has the former NBA star and current TV analyst listed at 5-1 to finish in the top 70.
Barkley said he bet $100,000 on himself to finish in the top 70 last year in the ACC, before finding out people are not allowed to bet on themselves. His bet was refunded.
He has a workaround this year. He’ll have a friend make the bet for him.
“Like, halfway through the second day, when they realized, like, this dude might come in the top 70, they came with that bogus rule about you can’t bet on yourself,” Barkley said. “It doesn’t make sense. I bet on me to win. I didn’t bet that I was going to come out of the top 70. I bet I was going to come in the top 70.
“Hey, gambling is gambling. I don’t want to hear all the BS about betting on yourself and stuff.”
Barkley also weighed in on the NBA Finals and several more topics on Wednesday, before the Celtics beat the Warriors, 116-100 in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
Barkley said when he played, the fans in Oakland, the Warriors’ previous home before moving across the Bay to San Francisco, were among the best in the league.
“That’s one of the most fond places I’ve ever played a basketball game, when the Warriors were in Oakland. These San Francisco fans are annoying, to be honest with you. But they’re great fans,” he said.
“But let me tell you something. What has happened to that city is a travesty and disgrace. I know TNT is cheap and they put us in the cheapest hotels in the history of civilization. But all the homelessness and crime you’ve got going down in San Francisco, man, that cannot happen. They’ve need to clean that up.”
Barkley said he has bodyguards when he is out walking around cities.
“They’re walking around with their head on a swivel. And I always tell them, ‘Hey, shoot ’em. I’ll get you out of jail. If anybody come near us we don’t like, just shoot them, I’ll get you out of jail,'” he said.
Former NBA player and coach Vinny Del Negro will defend his 2021 title.
Fan-favorite Justin Timberlake will return to Edgewood Tahoe and be joined by several newcomers this summer for the annual American Century Championship.
Colin Jost from Saturday Night Live, former NFL punter and sports media personality Pat McAfee, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin of the WWE and country music singer/songwriter Jake Owen were among those announced this week as newcomers to compete in the 33rd celebrity golf tournament, set for July 6-10 on Lake Tahoe’s South Shore.
In addition to Timberlake, longtime ACC competitors Charles Barkley and Larry the Cable Guy will return this summer to compete for $600,000 and charity fundraising in the 54-hole tournament.
The ACC will be televised nationally Friday-Sunday (July 8-10), with Golf Channel carrying the opening round Friday and NBC airing live coverage Saturday and Sunday.
Former NBA player and coach Vinny Del Negro will defend his 2021 title against celebrity contenders such as Annika Sorenstam, one of the greatest professional golfers in history with 72 LPGA Tour wins and eight Player of the Year Awards; Mark Mulder, three time ACC champion and former Oakland A’s and St. Louis Cardinals All-Star pitcher; Mardy Fish, 2020 tournament winner, former tennis star and current captain of the U.S. Davis Cup team; and John Smoltz, MLB Hall of Fame pitcher, 2018 U.S. Senior Open qualifier and Fox MLB analyst.
A contingent of 29 NFL stars are in the field this year, including Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Las Vegas Raiders’ QB Derek Carr. Active NFL players also include Robbie Gould of the San Francisco 49ers and Adam Thielen, Harrison Smith and Patrick Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings.
NFL Hall of Famers in the field this summer include Michael Strahan, Steve Young, Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Jerome Bettis, Terrell Davis, Brian Urlacher and Charles Woodson, as well as former All-Pros Larry Fitzgerald, DeMarcus Ware, Kyle Williams and Jim McMahon.
Vinny Del Negro hits out of a bunker on the 16th hole during the ACC golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe on July 11, 2021.
NBA players include Hall of Famers Ray Allen and Barkley; defending champ Del Negro; current Miami Heat star Kyle Lowry and Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso; and former player Vince Carter, eight-time All-Star and current ESPN analyst.
Women currently in the field, in addition to Sorenstam, include Dylan Dreyer, meteorologist for NBC News and Today; Kathryn Tappen, NBC Sports anchor and on-air personality; and Kira K. Dixon, Golf Channel reporter and 2015 Miss America.
The lineup of entertainers, actors and comedians features several familiar names, including Anthony Anderson, Alfonso Ribeiro, Michael Pena, Ray Romano, Rob Riggle, Brian Baumgartner and John O’Hurley.
Others include Jay DeMarcus, formerly of Rascal Flatts; Jason Scheff, former singer and bassist for Chicago; and Jack Wagner, two-time champion and one of two originals, along with Jim McMahon, to have played in all 32 American Century Championships.
Former MLB players on tap this summer include Smoltz, teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Tom Glavine, CC Sabathia, Joe Mauer, Jimmy Rollins, Kevin Millar, Shane Victorino, Tim Wakefield and David Wells.
There are more than 80 players in the field this summer, some of whom compete as amateurs and donate prize money to ACC-backed charities. Over the years, the ACC has donated more than $5 million to nonprofits.
Additions to the field will be announced leading up to the championship in July. The current tournament field is available here.
Tickets are available at AmericanCenturyChampionship.com, with daily tickets for Wednesday’s practice round and Thursday’s Celebrity-Amateur at $30, and tournament rounds Friday, Saturday and Sunday at $40 per day. A grounds pass for all five days is $90.
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.
