Warriors' Steph Curry soars with eagle putt for win at American Century Championship
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 07/17/2023 - 4:13am
Huge crowds were par for the course this week as the 34th annual American Century Championship was held at Edgewood Tahoe. It came down to the last hole to separate the two leaders, Mardy Fish and Steph Curry.
The Golden State Warriors Guard Curry had an eagle on 18 to become only the fifth active player, the first since then-Tennessee Titans placekicker Al del Greco won in 2000, and the first African American, to win the popular sports star and celebrity tournament. He had two fourth-place finishes in the past.
After an adrenaline-high Saturday with a hole-in-one on the seventh hole, Curry knew he had a chance to win the ACC and called his wife by the 12th hole to have her make plans to get to Tahoe from the Bay Area with their son for Sunday's round.
Curry said Mardy Fish played unbelievably Sunday. He also mentioned an unfortunate start to the final hole when a man in the gallery screamed just as Mardy Fish hit his tee shot. That fan was tossed from the course immediately.
"It was an unfortunate situation," said Curry of the guy trying to sabotage Fish's play. "You never want to see that."
Fish, who won the fan-less tournament during COVID in 2020, had pulled even with Curry by birdieing three of the first six holes. He edged into the lead while Curry bogeyed 11, 12, and 14, setting up the final hole theatrics.
Curry needed to sink the 20-foot put to seal the deal with a win.
"The perfect putt at the right time," said Curry after play. "You dream about moments like this."
When he sunk his putt he ran to hug wife Ayesha. She and their son Canon were on had to watch the spectacular win. Curry said he appreciated she made it to Tahoe and that he could celebrate with her.
Curry said Freddy Couples sent him a text Saturday to remind him that it's okay to assume you're a professional golfer for the day and stick to your routine.
"It was the most fun I've had at golf," said Curry of the tournament.
On the last three holes Sunday, Curry had par, bogey, and the final eagle.
"We love this tournament, it was special for the whole family," said Curry of Sunday when they were able to join him. Dad Dell and brother Seth also played in the ACC.
The Currys make a bet at the tournament, and last year started with the one winning the bet to take home a WWE-style belt for the year. Last year it was with Dell, this year Steph has it and he proudly wore it during the post-win press conference.
When the Warriors finished their season against the Lakers during the playoffs, Curry was able to get a lot more practice rounds in heading into Lake Tahoe. He said he played 10-12 extra rounds.
"It obviously helped," said Curry of that extra practice.
Curry would have won $125,000, but he wants to retain his amateur status as a golfer so the check goes back to tournament for its charities.
The final at the ACC:
Stephen Curry - 75
Mardy Fish - 73
Joe Pavelski - 66
Mark Mulder - 59
Aaron Rodgers - 56
Annika Sorenstam - 55
DEREK LOWE 53
TONY ROMO 51
JOHN ELWAY 50
MICHAEL PEÑA 50
DELL CURRY 48
JOHN SMOLTZ 45
KEVIN MILLAR 45
MARSHALL FAULK 43
JAKE OWEN 43
ADAM THIELEN 43
VINNY DEL NEGRO 42
JACK WAGNER 41
BRIAN URLACHER 40
ROBBIE GOULD 39
DEREK CARR 39
HARRISON SMITH 39
ALEX KILLORN 38
DOUG PEDERSON 33
TIM WAKEFIELD 33
ALFONSO RIBEIRO 33
RAY ALLEN 33
JON LESTER 30
TIM BROWN 29
DAVID WELLS 28
BRET BAIER 28
JOE MAUER 28
TJ OSHIE 28
ALEX SMITH 27
DWIGHT FREENEY 24
CHARLES WOODSON 24
JEROME BETTIS 22
JOSH ALLEN 22
MIKE MODANO 21
JOE BUCK 19
LARRY FITZGERALD 19
JERRY RICE 17
RONDE BARBER 17
JAYSON WERTH 16
PATRICK PETERSON 15
JOE THEISMANN 13
AJ HAWK 13
SETH CURRY 13
CANELO 12
DEXTER FOWLER 10
SHANE VICTORINO 9
HALLY LEADBETTER 9
ANDREW WHITWORTH 6
NATE BARGATZE 6
JAY BILAS 3
DAVID CARR 2
ROGER CLEMENS 1
ANDRE IGUODALA 0
RAY ROMANO -1
MARCUS ALLEN -1
REGGIE BUSH -4
PATRICK MAHOMES II -5
CC SABATHIA -7
ROB RIGGLE -10
MIKE VRABEL -11
JASON SCHEFF -12
PAT MCAFEE -13
DAN QUAYLE -14
KYLE LOWRY -15
RYAN FITZPATRICK -16
TRAVIS KELCE -17
EMMITT SMITH -18
COLIN JOST -24
LARRY THE CABLE GUY -24
STEVE YOUNG -24
VINCE CARTER -25
DAVANTE ADAMS -25
JAY DEMARCUS -28
BAKER MAYFIELD -30
BRIAN BAUMGARTNER -31
CHARLES BARKLEY -32
MILES TELLER -34
JIM MCMAHON -35
MIKE GOLIC -40
DEMARCUS WARE -44
JOHN O'HURLEY -46
KYLE RUDOLPH -46
CHACE CRAWFORD -46
KATHRYN TAPPEN -51
ZACH LAVINE -51
THE MIZ -56
DYLAN DREYER -64
DON CHEADLE -17 (withdrew)
