The scenic shores of South Lake Tahoe are once again hosting the annual convergence of sports icons and entertainment personalities at the American Century Championship. And after the dust settled on the first round, it wasn`t a golf pro, a basketball legend, or a gridiron hero sitting atop the leaderboard. Instead, it was recently retired NHL forward Joe Pavelski.
Navigating the challenging Edgewood Tahoe course under the modified Stableford scoring system, where points are awarded based on performance relative to par, Pavelski racked up an impressive 23 points. This strong showing puts the former San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars captain in the lead, demonstrating that his competitive edge extends well beyond the hockey rink. It`s a familiar position for Pavelski, who finished second in this very tournament just last year, proving his golf game is far from a mere hobby.
Speaking after his round, Pavelski acknowledged the unique pressure of the event. “Obviously, the first tee and first-round excitement was there. Nerves were there,” he reportedly said, adding that despite the jitters, “The round was good.” An understatement, perhaps, considering he`s currently outpacing some serious talent.
Hot on Pavelski`s heels is Vinny Del Negro, the former NBA player and coach who claimed the title in 2021, just a single point behind at 22. Right behind them, tied at 21 points, are the defending champion Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors superstar known for his impressive golf handicap, and former professional soccer player Taylor Twellman.
The leaderboard continues to read like a sports Hall of Fame ballot further down. Carolina Panthers receiver Adam Thielen is in the mix with 19 points, while three-time winner and former NFL quarterback Tony Romo is tied with Oklahoma City Thunder player Alex Caruso at 18 points. Even legendary figures like two-time winner Mardy Fish, former pitcher John Smoltz, and LPGA icon Annika Sorenstam are lurking at 17 points, ensuring that Pavelski will face stiff competition over the weekend.
No celebrity tournament is complete without a notable moment from Charles Barkley. The NBA Hall of Famer provided just that by draining an 88-yard eagle on the par-4 second hole. While the spectacular shot was worth a hefty nine points by itself, the rest of his round saw him finish with 9 points total, placing him mid-pack in the 90-player field. Barkley, ever the showman, expressed satisfaction with his day, 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.” It seems even a modest score can be a victory if you`re having fun.
Meanwhile, defending champion Stephen Curry enjoyed a family outing, playing alongside his father Dell and brother Seth. Despite feeling his own play was merely “average,” Curry noted that avoiding major mistakes kept him “relevant,” a crucial strategy in Stableford scoring. He remains well within striking distance.
With two rounds remaining, Joe Pavelski holds the lead, but the pack of world-class athletes and entertainers is ready to challenge on the picturesque course. Whether the hockey veteran can hold off the seasoned golfers and competitive giants from other sports will be the story to watch this weekend.
Ellis Thorne 
Percy Harlow