Celebrities excited to start the 54-hole American Century Championship
Submitted by paula on Thu, 07/13/2023 - 10:43pm
LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The crowds are already in town for one of the most popular summer events at Lake Tahoe - the American Century Championship (ACC). This year there is a record number of celebrities at 93, and the galleries could be a record with Saturday already sold out. Last year’s attendance topped 67,000, the sixth straight year the attendance record was broken.
"I love this event so much," said four-time NBA Champ Steph Curry on Thursday. "I have fun first and foremost, but also stay competitive."
With the Golden State Warriors not making it to the championship game this year, Steph said he has had more time to concentrate on golf.
He has been golfing since he was 10 and loves the game. He said he will be balancing fun and focus this week at Lake Tahoe.
Curry not only shines on the basketball court but also on the course with two fourth-place finishes so far. The ACC has become a family affair with his dad Dell and brother Seth.
The Currys have an annual bet that is usually figured out on the way to Lake Tahoe. Steph has a scratch handicap and said he is giving his dad about 12 points, and Seth 45 (though the exact specifics are still being worked out). Steph had a WWE-style championship belt made each for the winner and their caddy. Dell has had the belt over the past year, bringing it out occasionally to show to his sons and rub it in. That belt will be passed on to the family winner after the final round Sunday (or staying with Dell).
Steph was asked Thursday what part of other celebrities competing in the ACC he would like to have.
"Mardy Fish's tempo," he said. Just at the moment Mardy just happened to walk into the media room, excited to hear Steph admit that.
Mardy, who won in the COVID fan-less ACC in 2020, said he feels good about his game and hopes to have a good start Friday.
"There are new greens," said Fish. "I'm hoping to hit the ball good."
For more information on the players and the tournament, visit https://americancenturychampionship.com/.
TOURNAMENT AIRTIMES (LINEAR AND STREAMING)
Friday, July 14 Peacock, NBC Sports Digital 4-6 p.m. ET / 1-3 p.m. PT (Live)
Friday, July 14 GOLF Channel 7:30-9:30 p.m. ET / 4:30-6:30 p.m. PT (TD)
Saturday, July 15 NBC, Peacock 2:30-6 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. PT (Live)
Sunday, July 16 NBC, Peacock 2:30-6 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. PT (Live)