Tag: American Century Championship

Annika Sorenstam adds American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe to her schedule for third summer start

Annika Sorenstam, at 50, will compete three times over the summer, including twice with the men. Golfweek caught up with her.

Annika Sorenstam’s foray back into competitive golf in February at the inaugural Gainbridge LPGA at Lake Nona, the club in Orlando, Florida, where Sorenstam lives, left many in her fan base wanting more.

Get ready for the summer of Annika.

Sorenstam is in Sweden this week competing in and co-hosting the Scandinavian Mixed along with fellow Swede Henrik Stenson. She has also announced that next month, she will compete in the American Century Championship, a 54-hole Modified Stableford event to be played July 9-11 at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Club in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Sorenstam last played the event in 2014 and finished T-2. She also has already committed to the U.S. Senior Women’s Open in August.

Sorenstam, a part-time resident of Lake Tahoe, is the fourth female to enter an American Century field featuring several sports and entertainment stars. She joins NBC News/TODAY Show host and meteorologist Dylan Dreyer, NBC Sports anchor and on-air personality Kathryn Tappen and Golf Channel on-air commentator Kira K. Dixon, 2015’s Miss America, in the female contingent.

Golfweek caught up with Sorenstam from Sweden to hear about her summer of competition, her game and player responsibilities.

You’ve signed up to play in the American Century Championship, which makes quite a trio of competitive starts for you this summer between the Scandinavian Mixed and the U.S. Senior Women’s Open. Why American Century?

Tahoe is kind of our second home. We’ve been there for years and we spend the summer there. I just think it’s really such an amazing place, there’s nothing more beautiful. I love the format, I think it’s fun golf. It’s serious but it’s so much fun – the atmosphere is great. The guys and the girls that are playing are super nice so it’s like serious but not really, and I need competitive rounds. I need just to keep playing and do that. Why not? We’re going to be in Tahoe all summer and I’ve played there before, great memories from just practice rounds but then even playing (in 2014). It’s a good lead-up getting ready for the Women’s Senior Open.

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Speaking of the Scandinavian Mixed, you’re preparing to play in – and also hosting! – that event this week. The fact that these next two starts are in mixed fields, why is that important to you at this point in your life and your career?

I’m a believer that we can grow the game in different ways. This is not the only way to grow it, absolutely not. But I think it’s a way to create some more interest, a little excitement, a little bit of awareness to the game and then also I think the timing is very right for these types of initiatives. It’s different, so yeah it takes a little – not just planning – the logistics of course are going to be really important. I think it’s fun for some future events, moving forward, for partners and to feel like they’re including women.

It’s like we always talk about, to grow the game we’ve got to make sure it’s inclusive and accessible and I think these are the things we can do in our space. So therefore, as far as just why these? I think the timing has a lot to do with it. Being in Sweden and I think it’s a great start, but then we are here together with my tournament next week and so I have a few more events before the U.S. (Senior) Women’s Open and so it just turned out to align nicely, I guess.

Annika Sorenstam
Annika Sorenstam during the 2014 American Century Championship.

Looking ahead to the U.S. Senior Women’s Open – it’s your first USGA championship in 13 years and certainly a different field makeup than the Gainbridge at Lake Nona. What excites you most about that event?

I look forward to seeing all my veteran friends. All the seniors, I look forward to catching up with them, I haven’t seen many of them – even more than 13 years for some of them. So I think it’s good. I want to support the event because the USGA, it’s a big commitment from their behalf. So how can I support them? I’m really enjoying playing now, even though it’s a different level, my expectations are different. I’m enjoying playing. My kids are more part of what I do than when I was younger. Now they want me to play, they want to see me. It really is a family effort on a lot of levels. It’s in the summer, they can go there and they can be with me. Mike (McGee, her husband) is going to caddie for me. It’s just a lot of fun things to do, and I’m totally in a different space in my life or whatever you call it, different chapter. Just support the event and see the players is what I look forward.

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Rewind two or three years – even 10 or 11 years. Could you have imagined that at 50, you’d compete three times over the course of the summer?

No, I don’t know – maybe hit a midlife crisis. (Laughs) But you know when I stepped away, they didn’t have these two women’s seniors. I’m only going to play one. But they didn’t have the U.S. Women’s Senior when I stepped away and I was done, I really was. But I think, with COVID, just certain things you realize that’s fun, that’s important and spending time with my family, especially our son Will he loves golf so much. I spend time with him out there and I was just watching him. I was like, I might as well bring my clubs. And then when I start bringing my clubs and I start practicing, I start to hit it a little better which is more fun. And now I’m inspiring him.

We really have a fun connection together there and I want him to see what it takes to be good at something because he’s very, very competitive. I think a lot of things – one thing led to another and again just wanting to support these events because if players don’t support them, they will go away. I think it’s fun that they have them and therefore, to answer your question, the answer is no I never really thought of playing and, again, and I really didn’t for 11 years. I did a few charity outings and corporate events the first 10 years and sometimes I feel like I’m starting from scratch because I haven’t done it and I certainly haven’t competed.

Annika Sorenstam
Annika Sorenstam during the 2014 American Century Championship.

As someone who was the face of the LPGA for a long time and did countless interviews: One thing we saw this past week was Naomi Osaka’s decision not to do press at the French Open. As a player, we know you were kind of a shy player and had to get over that, what are your thoughts on Naomi’s decision and how you handle that?

First of all, I think we all wish Naomi the best of health. If you don’t have health, you really don’t have much. And mental health is something that, I feel, is not really talked about. It’s almost like people are quiet about it, they’re ashamed about it. I applaud her for bringing that to the forefront and addressing it. But there’s no doubt that being an athlete, you have some responsibility and it’s a fine line, there’s no doubt. Players handle things very differently, but it’s also part of playing on that big stage. I think it was good that she addressed it, and hopefully now she can get help but hopefully others can get help.

In the end, the message came through and I think – within golf, we haven’t really had this type of situation occur. It needs to occur, but I also think you have to find that balance of what expectations are and being role models. It’s not an easy path to take for sure but I think it’s good that she brought it up. Hopefully she gets help and gets better because she’s good for the sport, she’s a great female athlete so I wish her the best and hope to see her soon again.

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Tahoe celebrity golf: Justin Timberlake, Tony Romo, Patrick Mahomes – and fans – expected back this summer

As the Tahoe, Nevada, returns to normal, here is yet another sign of hope: Fans will be allowed back at the celebrity golf tournament.

TAHOE, Nev. — As the region returns to normal, here is yet another sign of hope.

Fans will be allowed back at the celebrity golf tournament this summer at Edgewood Tahoe.

And Justin Timberlake is expected to be in the field this year after not playing in the event last summer.

Tony Romo and Patrick Mahomes are also expected to play the American Century Championship in 2021.

The tournament is set for July 7-11 in South Lake Tahoe, with fans returning after last year’s attendance restrictions. Tickets will go on sale online beginning Monday, May 17 at americancenturychampionship.com.

In addition to Timberlake, Romo and Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers and Charles Barkley will also be in the 32nd annual tournament. In all, there will be 80 celebrities competing for $600,000 at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.

Changes in store for spectators

Last year’s tournament was conducted without fans due to the the global pandemic. The entire purse of $600,000 was donated to COVID-19 and social justice charities while the event also promoted the Lake Tahoe region.

This year, organizers are working with state, regional and health authorities for spectator access — estimated at half the 60,000 fans who typically line the fairways as well as lakeside in boats next to the famed 17th hole.

Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald at the 2020 American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe on Sunday. Photo by Reno Gazette-Journal

Multiple precautions will be taken by event officials and sponsors to ensure health and safety for all participants and attendees. Lake Tahoe tourism authorities have enacted various “Know Before You Go” protocols as well as the Lake Tahoe Take Care Travel Pledge to reinforce mindful and responsible travel efforts.

Tickets will only be available online and only in advance. To promote social distancing and to avoid creating lines, gate sales during tournament week have been suspended. Tickets are $30 each day, for the practice round Wednesday, the Celebrity-Am Thursday, and for each round of the 54-hole tournament Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Fans can purchase up to four tickets each, allowing for more equitable public distribution.

An adult purchasing a ticket can bring in one child, 10 and under, free.

Health precautions will preclude autographs, selfies, handshakes and fist bumps. Fans are asked to respect the necessary space and distance protocols in place.

A complimentary ticket will be available for members of the military plus one guest on a tournament day of their choice. Pre-event registration will be required.

Athletes dominate field

Romo is a two-time champion and Mark Mulder won three times before Romo’s run.

Newcomers to the tournament are New Orleans Saints star Taysom Hill, Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott, Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, two-time New York Giants Super Bowl champion Justin Tuck and former New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia.

Newly retired future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees is among the contingent of 39 current or former NFL players, coaches and Hall of Famers who will tee it up.

Active players Larry Fitzgerald, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Kyle Fuller, Robbie Gould, Travis Kelce, Patrick Peterson, Golden Tate and Adam Thielen will all play the event.

The field collectively is represented by 16 Hall of Famers, 15 Cy Young award winners and 13 Most Valuable Players.

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Mardy Fish wins first American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament

Mardy Fish rode a stellar day Saturday to another solid round Sunday and captured his first title in the American Century Championship.

Sometimes the Fish catches the trophy.

Mardy Fish rode a stellar day Saturday to another solid round Sunday and captured his first title in the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood-Tahoe. He has won twice at celebrity tournaments in Florida.

Fish scored a tournament-record 37 points on Saturday, then added 21 on Sunday to finish with 76 points. First-round leader Kyle Williams ended in second place with 67 points, scoring 15 on Sunday. John Smoltz was third with 58 points and Steph Curry was fourth with 56.

Fish had five straight top-five finishes at Edgewood before this year.

“I’ve wanted to play well here for a long time. It just doesn’t suit my eye very well. So I haven’t put it all together. And thankfully I put it all together yesterday, because it wasn’t today and it wasn’t Friday,” Fish said.

Fish said the absence of spectators was not a factor this year at Edgewood.

“I focus in pretty good anyways. I’ve played a lot of matches in Davis Cup formats for the U.S. in some pretty hostile places, Colombia and Switzerland, and all over the place. And they’ll yell in your overhand and yell in your serve. So I’m used to that kind of stuff,” he said.

American Century Championship scores

The purse of $600,000 will be donated to Lake Tahoe groups and various COVID-19 charities. Fish would have won $125,000 and Williams $60,000.

Williams, who played for the Buffalo Bills, said his putts wouldn’t fall on Sunday. He had one birdie on Sunday.

This was his second time playing at Edgewood.

“I knew if I only made one birdie today it wasn’t going to get it done,” Williams said. “But I played pretty solid. To shoot what I have over the last three days, I’m not going to complain about it. Had a great week and looking forward to more.”He said nerves were not a factor Sunday.

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“Just, sometimes with us being ex-professionals or professionals at something else, we’re not going to hit the ball the way the professionals do or we’re not going to roll the ball the way they do,” Williams said. “As competitive as we are and think we ought to, it just doesn’t work out that way.

“The more reps you get, the more comfortable; good things are ahead. Like I said, finishing second, I’m so happy for Mardy. I don’t like that he did it at my expense, but at the same time I’m really happy for him.”

Williams said even if there was prize money, he would not have accepted it, because he is an amateur and because there are better uses for it

“With everything that’s going on in our country right now, there are better places for that money to be allocated than to us who get to come out here and spend a great week in this setting, at this tournament, enjoying old friends, new friends, all that,” he said.

Smoltz was a little frustrated after Saturday’s round when he scored 17 points.

But he was much happier Sunday.

“My biggest thing is I can’t believe how good I hit it and how poorly I scored,” Smoltz said. “I didn’t 3-putt all week. I only made three bogeys all week, and yet the birdies just didn’t fall. So 16 tries at birdie today and I only made two of them.

“And that’s the difference. I mean, you play this golf course, I striped it pretty much all day, except for one hole … I had a lot of chances to change the environment early on, and that’s what I was hoping to do, is put some pressure early. But there was just no way those putts, they just weren’t falling.”

Smoltz said he was sure Fish would win early on Sunday.

“I thought he won the tournament on the first hole when he hit his second shot in the water, made 15-foot for bogey; goes from zero to minus 2, and all of a sudden Kyle had a five-footer or six-footer for birdie, early on,” Smoltz said. “Mardy hits the ball so far and he has such great touch. So playing against him is, I knew going in this that lead wasn’t anything I could do anything with.”

Curry was the best-finishing active athlete in the tournament.

His father, Dell Curry, finished with 50 points and was also in the top 10. Steph had spotted Dell six points, so they tied in the family competition.

Steph Curry said he thinks he can win the ACC someday, adding getting off to a good start is key and getting into the competitive mindset.

“That first day is always kind of the shaky one, just getting into competitive golf mentality, which is always — it’s tough. This game is extremely hard,” Curry said. “I do think I can get it done. But I’ve got a couple more years on the court. So maybe play the odds on that front, but I think I can get it done.”

He said winning the ACC while still competing as an active professional athlete would be huge.

“I know in terms of active guys and our day jobs and how much we spend on our crafts outside of golf, but it’s nice to represent all the active guys in that respect; but to be the first active one, I think, to win it, I’m still searching for that one. That would mean a lot,” he said.

Fish, 38, was a professional tennis player in the early 2000s. The hard-court specialist won six tournaments on the main ATP tour and reached the final of four Masters Series events.

At the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, Fish won a silver medal, as he reached the final in the men’s singles before losing to Nicolás Massú.

In April 2011, Fish became the top American in the ATP rankings, reaching a career-high singles ranking of No. 7 in August.

He retired from pro tennis after the 2015 U.S. Open.

Two-time defending champion Tony Romo withdrew, citing a wrist injury he suffered during Saturday’s round.

Charles Barkley held good to his guarantee of not finishing last as he finished 69th out of 70 golfers, besting Eddie George by three points.

Steph Curry places in top-five at American Century Championship golf tournament

After recording the top score in the final round of the tournament, Steph Curry placed fourth in Lake Tahoe’s American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament.

Over the weekend, Stephen Curry traded in his basketball sneakers for his golf clubs in Lake Tahoe. For the eighth consecutive year, the Golden State Warriors guard joined a powerhouse field at Edgewood Golf Resort in Lake Tahoe for the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament.

Alongside his father Dell, the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player mixed it up with boxer Canelo Alvarez and played rounds with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.

On the course, Curry started off the first day with an underwhelming round, finishing at No. 11 on the scorecard. However, a pair of solid performances during the weekend rounds catapulted Curry towards the top of the leaderboard.

On day three, the point guard turned golfer recorded the top score on the Stableford scoring system with 26.

Curry’s scorching round three pushed him into the top-five spots on the leaderboard. Curry was able to improve three spots from his 2019 seventh-place finish.

 

The six-time All-Star finished fourth (56), behind MLB Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz (58), former Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Williams (67) and tournament champ Mardy Fish (76).

Back-to-back tournament champion Tony Romo was unable to defend his title after suffering a wrist injury. In his American Century Championship debut, Super Bowl Champion Patrick Mahomes finished at No. 38 on the leaderboard with four total points.

To cap off three days of golf, Curry joined Fish and Alvarez for a dive into the water of Lake Tahoe.

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Steph Curry discusses racial inequality in preview for panel on race and sports in America

In a preview for a panel on sports and race in America, Steph Curry discussed the subtleties in racial inequality.

A clip of Golden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry speaking in panel on race and sports at the American Century Championship Celebrity Golf Tournament surfaced on Twitter.

In it, Curry talked about preconceived notions that even come with things that are presented as compliments: Specifically, the surprise over an “articulate” Black person.

“(The) preconceived notions of how they view rich, successful Black people as anomalies, and our intelligence and our well-spokenness, that’s always the first thing you hear,” Curry said. “If somebody knows how to be articulate, if they know how to come in a room, sit in a room, what’s it mean?”

There was some agreement from others in the group as he spoke.

“That’s the subtle racism and prejudice that starts to add on itself,” he said. “If another white person hears that comment, they’re going to think the same exact thing.

In turn, those who are not articulate don’t get looked at with the same value as people who do speak the same way as the white person in the room.

“That’s not going to trickle down to anybody else and be able to create opportunities for somebody else to get in that room and prove their value, prove their worth,” Curry said.

At the Race and Sports in America: Conversations roundtable, will air at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on the GOLF Channel, NBCSN, NBC Sports Regional Networks and Olympic Channel.

Other athletes who took part in the discussion include NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn, former Philadelphia Phillies star Jimmy Rollins and 10-time ATP tennis champion James Blake.

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Steph Curry paired with Jerry Rice and Larry Fitzgerald in round 2 of the American Century Championship golf tournament

For the second round of the American Century Championship golf tournament, Stephen Curry is paired with Jerry Rice and Larry Fitzgerald Jr.

In his eighth journey through the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, Stephen Curry will be paired with a duo of high caliber NFL pass catchers.

After spending the opening round alongside his father Dell and Aaron Rodgers, the Golden State Warriors point guard will be grouped with Arizona Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.

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Charles Barkley makes bold guarantee about his golf game

The Auburn legend will take part in the American Century Championship this weekend.

We’ve all seen Charles Barkley golf and … well, he’s not exactly someone you would consider a good golfer.

Yet his confidence never waivers no matter if he’s talking about his golf game or throwing out opinions on the state of the NBA, so it’s not surprising when he makes extremely bold predictions concerning his upcoming participation in the American Century Championship, a tournament he has participated in 24 times before.

Just watch and listen to the man.

This is going to make for must-viewing this weekend.

Canelo Alvarez vs. Steph Curry? Round 1 goes to Canelo

Canelo Alvarez shows NBA star Steph Curry how it’s done during a practice round of a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

Once upon a time there was talk that 7-foot-1 NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain would fight Muhammad Ali, although it never happened. Thank goodness.

How about Steph Curry vs. Canelo Alvarez today?

We got a taste of what that might look like on a golf course, when the Golden State Warriors star and Mexican champion decided to do a little sparring during a practice round for the American Century Championship celebrity competition in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

It was over in a flash (see video). The two had just settled into their boxing stances when Alvarez threw a left hand toward the basketball player’s face so quickly that he had no time to react.

That prompted a laughing companion to say, “Steph, you’re supposed to move, dude.”

It looks as if Curry and Alvarez will stick to their own sports, although both have been out of action for some time because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The last NBA games were played on March 11, after which the season was shut down. It will resume on July 30, with 22 teams finishing out the season and eight sitting on the sidelines. The struggling Warriors are among those eight.

Alvarez hasn’t fought since he stopped Sergey Kovalev in September. He was supposed to have fought Billy Joe Saunders in May but that was canceled. Now he’s targeting this coming September, although neither an opponent nor a site has been determined.

American Century Championship will happen in Lake Tahoe, but without fans

The 31st annual American Century Championship tournament is set for July 8-12 in Lake Tahoe and Tony Romo will defend his crown.

After much speculation, due to the myriad worldwide sports cancellations, there is some good news from the athletic world: The American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament will be held at Edgewood-Tahoe this July.

But in an unusual yet necessary twist, spectators will not be allowed on the course to see, talk to and interact with the celebrity golfers.

The 31st annual ACC tournament is set for July 8-12 at Edgewood. It will be televised by NBC Sports.

The tournaments’ entire $600,000 purse will be donated to local and national charities that aid in COVID-19 relief.

The tournament has donated more than $5 million to charities over the years.

Officials with the ACC said there is no way to allow spectators amid the ongoing pandemic.

“Once our due diligence established that the tournament could be conducted safely, we were compelled to do everything possible to go forward in support of our friends in the Lake Tahoe resort community, who have hosted the event for 30 years,” American Century Investments CEO Jonathan Thomas said in a news release.

Carol Chaplin, president and CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, said holding the tournament sends a message of renewal for Lake Tahoe.

“While this 31st edition will be different than any previous tournament, this demonstrates a unique example of prominent stakeholders supporting each other and in turn, the destination and the community that absolutely loves this event,” Chaplin said.

Jon Miller, president of programming for NBC Sports, said it will be a challenge to televise the event, but said golf can played in a responsible, socially distanced way.

CBS Sports announcer and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is the two-time defending champion and he is expected to try for his third straight title.

Last year, Romo became the fourth player in tournament history to successfully defend the title. Romo donated the $125,000 first prize to official tournament charity Stowers Institute for Medical Research.

Romo expressed his support for the decision to hold the tournament this year.

“The event has a tremendous tradition and is critical to that beautiful resort region,” he said. “It’ll be fun to try to win again, but the sense of community and charity fundraising will be most important.”

Retired Major League Baseball pitcher Mark Mulder won the tournament three straight years before Romo and is also expected to play.

Celebrities who have previously appeared at Edgewood include Steph Curry, Charles Barkley, Aaron Rodgers, Ray Romano, John Elway, Jerry Rice, Tony Romo and Justin Timberlake.

It was not known as of Thursday if Timberlake will play in it again this summer.

With the NBA opening up the possibility of playing an abbreviated season and playoffs in July and August, it is not known if Curry or any other NBA players will be able to participate in the ACC this summer.

But a full field is expected and there is always a waiting list among celebrities eager to play in the event.

Activity on the beach along Hole No. 17 will be curtailed, although there is no way to eliminate the boats that congregate there.

But those in the boats will not be allowed on the shore or to throw balls and other items to the golfers, as is the custom.

Solidarity with Tahoe

Sponsor American Century wanted to have the tournament this summer for the continuity aspect and to show solidarity with the South Lake Tahoe community.

NBC and tournament partners at Edgewood Tahoe and host hotels developed a comprehensive safety plan that includes enhanced cleaning protocols at both the course and hotels, on-course sanitation stations and restrictions on large organized dinners and evening events.

Only the celebrities and essential tournament staff will be allowed on the course and all will be required to follow social distancing guidelines.

The competition is a 54-hole modified Stableford format tournament often referred to as the Super Bowl of celebrity golf.

Curry and Romo will be joined by Aaron Rodgers, Charles Barkley, Jerry Rice and entertainment personalities including Ray Romano, Alfonso Ribeiro and Larry the Cable Guy, among others. A total of 13 Hall of Famers and 19 active NFL, NBA and NHL players are expected.

Several NFL coaches are expected, including Sean Payton, Saints; Matt Nagy, Bears; and Frank Reich, Colts.

Additional celebrity commitments will be announced in mid-June.

First-timers who have committed include Chris Harrison of “The Bachelor;” former MLB stars Adrian Beltre, Chase Utley and Brian McCann; plus Cooper Kupp, wide receiver and Andrew Whitworth, offensive tackle of the Los Angeles Rams.

Jim Krajewski works for the Reno Gazette Journal, a member of the USA Today Network. Follow him on Twitter @RGJPreps. 

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