STATELINE, Nev. – Stephen Curry, World Champion Golden State Warriors MVP of the NBA Finals, will step out into the public eye for competition again this week at the American Century Championship Celebrity Golf Tournament at Lake Tahoe.
The star backcourt player is also an excellent golfer and is among the contenders to win the 33rd annual tournament for celebrities only. He would have to defeat former champions Tony Romo, Mardy Fish, and Mark Mulder along with John Smoltz, 2021 winner Vinny Del Negro and Annika Sorenstam – the greatest player in the history of women’s golf.
One of the strongest fields in tournament history is ready to tee it up at the 33rd annual tournament at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, Friday through Sunday.
Music star Nick Jonas will make his debut, joining such celebrities as Justin Timberlake, Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Charles Barkley.
Curry was named NBA Finals MVP last month after leading the Golden State Warriors to their fourth NBA title in eight seasons. His dad, Dell, and brother, Seth, are also in the field.
The 54-hole tournament, held annually at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course since 1990, will be televised on Peacock, the Golf Channel and NBC. The winner receives $125,000 of the $600,000 purse.
Other newcomers in the 87-player field include Saturday Night Live star Colin Jost, WWE Superstar The Miz and singer/songwriter Jake Owen.
Romo, an NFL commentator for CBS and a former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, and Fish, the former ATP tennis player, are listed as the co-favorites at 11-to-4, according to the Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill. A $4 wager would return $11.
They are followed closely by Del Negro, the former NBA player and coach, at 5-to-1; former MLB pitchers Smoltz (9-to-2) and Mulder (13-to-2); and Sorenstam (17-to-2). Steph Curry is listed at 12-to-1, along with former NFL defensive lineman Kyle Williams.
Barkley, the NBA legend who has long been a fan favorite at this event, said in a teleconference call last month that he would likely wager $100,000 on himself to finish among the top 70, a wager that Caesars created last year after learning of Barkley’s improved game.
Barkley has annually finished among the bottom three at the ACC but tied for 76th out of 88 players in 2021. His $100,000 bet last year was returned to him because it is illegal for one to wager on himself in Nevada. He said he would have a friend place the bet for him this year.
Tournament officials are expecting more than 50,000 fans to attend during the week.
