Countdown to American Century Championship: Mardy Fish looking for 2nd win at Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - The casino sportsbooks at Stateline have former professional tennis player Mardy Fish at 11/4 odds to win this week's American Century Championship (ACC) at Edgewood. That put him directly behind the favorite to win, Tony Romo
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Fish was in town ahead of the tournament to share his thoughts on golf, the ACC, tennis, and mental health.

"This is a truly special week," said Fish of the week on the south shore. He brings his family and sees good friends including county singer Jake Owen who is also playing in the ACC. The two grew up together in Vero Beach, Florida, and have been best friends since they were five years old.

In 2020, Fish had a second-round 63 which is still the course record at Edgewood Tahoe for the tournament. He went on to win that year, a tournament without fans due to the COVID restrictions at the time.

"I have zero wins with family here," said Fish who makes the ACC a family vacation. He said both he and his kids want to have that experience of their running out on the 18th green as he is named the winner.

He said he is looking forward to the 2023 tournament, and while his game is good he knows there are 15-20 people who can win besides him including Tony Romo, Mark Muldar, Annika Sorenstam and Steph Curry.

"It is a true honor to play golf with her," Fish said of Sorenstam who is regarded as one of golf's greatest players in history with 94 international tournament wins including 10 major LPGA championships.

"Mardy and Steph are in a league of their own," said Dell Curry of his son and Mardy on the golf course. In 2020 when Fish won the ACC, Steph Curry finished fourth.

Mardy said golf great Jack Nicklaus called him "the best non-professional golfer I've ever seen." Mardy said he told Nicklaus he needs to watch more non-professionals. Nicklaus happens to be a big fan of tennis and has three grass courts at his home.

On a more serious note, Fish said unintentionally has become a mental health spokesperson after the Netflix documentary, Untold: Breaking Point. In that show, Mardy opened up about his own mental health issues and shared how he battled anxiety during his playing career but also opened up to show a success story.

"I beat it every day, living it every day," he said.

The ACC week gets underway Wednesday with the Celebrity-Am round. Fish tees off at 7:45 a.m. from the 15th hole in the shotgun start with Steph and Dell Curry, Jake Owen, and boxer Canelo, another one of his good friends.

The championship rounds are Friday-Sunday. For more information, visit https://americancenturychampionship.com/.