South Lake Tahoe, Nevada – In a display that might raise a few eyebrows among traditionalists, a former titan of the ice currently sits atop the leaderboard at the American Century Championship, a prestigious celebrity golf tournament held at the stunning Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. Joe Pavelski, a recently retired veteran of the National Hockey League, navigated the challenging course with remarkable composure, securing the first-round lead on Friday.
Pavelski, who concluded his illustrious NHL career known for his leadership and scoring prowess, translated that focus onto the greens and fairways. He amassed an impressive 23 points using the modified Stableford scoring system. This format, which encourages aggressive play by awarding points based on scores relative to par (higher for eagles and birdies, lower for bogeys), appears to suit the competitive nature of the former forward.
Reflecting on his performance, Pavelski acknowledged the familiar feeling of pre-competition nerves. “The round was good,” he stated, adding that “the first tee and first-round excitement was there. Nerves were there.” His strong start builds on a solid showing last year where he finished in second place, demonstrating that his golf aspirations are far from a mere retirement hobby.
A Star-Studded Leaderboard
The competition breathing down Pavelski`s neck is a who`s who of the sports and entertainment world. Just one point behind, with 22 points, is former NBA player and coach Vinny Del Negro, no stranger to the top of this leaderboard, having won the event in 2021. Tied for third place at 21 points are Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, the defending champion from 2023, and former professional soccer player Taylor Twellman. This immediate pursuit from seasoned contenders underscores the challenge Pavelski faces to maintain his position.
Further down the leaderboard, but still very much in contention, are figures like Carolina Panthers receiver Adam Thielen (19 points) and three-time tournament winner, former NFL quarterback Tony Romo, who sits at 18 points alongside Oklahoma City Thunder player Alex Caruso. Even prominent figures from other sports like tennis great Mardy Fish (a two-time winner), former MLB pitcher John Smoltz, and LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam are clustered closely together at 17 points, highlighting the depth of talent – or at least, competitive spirit – in the 90-player field.
Notable Shots and Family Ties
Adding to the day`s drama and entertainment, NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, a perennial participant known more for his commentary on the broadcast than his score, provided a highlight moment. Barkley, who finished the day with 9 points (tied for 24th), spectacularly holed out for an eagle from 88 yards on the par-4 second hole. Despite his overall score, Barkley expressed satisfaction, stating, “I had a great day today… I’ve put a lot of time and effort in, and I was very happy with the way I played today.” He also highlighted the enjoyment of playing alongside comedians Nate Bargatze and Larry the Cable Guy.
Meanwhile, defending champion Stephen Curry enjoyed a family affair, playing his first round alongside his father, Dell, and brother, Seth. Reflecting on his round, Curry offered a candid assessment. “As average as I think I played, I held the big numbers out, which allows you to stay relevant. Excited for tomorrow,” he commented, emphasizing the strategic importance of avoiding costly mistakes in the Stableford format, even on an “average” day.
As the tournament heads into the weekend, all eyes will be on whether the former hockey captain can hold off the charge from established celebrity golf names and maintain his unexpected, yet compelling, lead at Edgewood Tahoe.