At the 36th annual American Century Championship (ACC) celebrity golf tournament held at Edgewood Tahoe in Stateline, Nevada, the competition is heating up as former NHL star Joe Pavelski and retired soccer player Taylor Twellman share the lead after two thrilling rounds. Both athletes have amassed 44 points in the modified Stableford scoring system, setting the stage for an exciting final round on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
Pavelski, who retired from professional hockey last year after a celebrated career with the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars, entered the second day as the solo leader following a strong 23-point opening round on Friday, July 11. Despite a challenging start on Saturday, he rallied with a spectacular finish, birdieing the final three holes to score 21 points in the second round and maintain his position at the top of the leaderboard. "I was a little frustrated. I think I lost a little patience after missing a couple that I thought I should have made. And it was just kind of about resetting from there," Pavelski said. "Got a good one to fall on hole 8, kind of got myself reset a little bit." Celebrating his 41st birthday on Friday and his 17th wedding anniversary on Saturday, Pavelski’s composure under pressure highlights his competitive spirit and experience on the course.
Tied with Pavelski is Taylor Twellman, a former Major League Soccer star turned broadcaster, who impressed with a 23-point second round. Twellman credited the camaraderie within his playing group, including NBA veteran Alex Caruso and Carolina Panthers receiver Adam Thielen, as a key factor in his performance. "There was good camaraderie within the group. The perseverance Adam showed was really good. He had a double in the back nine and it was birdie, birdie, we were kind of egging each other on. It was fun. It was good," Twellman remarked. His ability to birdie four holes in a six-hole stretch on the back nine demonstrated his aggressive play and focus.
Following closely behind in third place is country music star Jake Owen, who scored 41 points after delivering his best round ever at the tournament with 25 points on Saturday. Owen shared insights into his game and personal motivations during a post-round press conference. "I find that today I played pretty well because I realized I wasn’t really chasing anything. I was just trying to keep myself in check," he said. Owen also spoke about the grounding influence of his daughters, who were cheering him on throughout the event. "No matter if you hit a bad shot or good shot, they’re still over there smiling, telling you they love you. I feel whether I was dead last today or playing the round I played, I get to go back to the room tonight and order some butter noodles and have an awesome time with my two little girls." Adding to his celebrations, Owen released a new single, "Dreams to Dream," on Friday, ahead of his upcoming album scheduled for October.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen holds fourth place with 40 points after a steady performance, while women's golf legend Annika Sorenstam rounds out the top five with 37 points. Sorenstam reflected on the ups and downs of her game over the two days, noting, "I would say today was really a mixed bag. It was funny, [yesterday] I hit some good irons and didn’t drive it well. And as you know, golf is very strange. Today I was driving it well but didn’t hit my irons well. I would love for them to kind of connect tomorrow." Her son, Will, who has been walking the course with her, offers feedback on her play, which she appreciates as part of her preparation.
Three-time ACC champions Tony Romo, Mark Mulder, and John Smoltz are tied for sixth place with 36 points each. Meanwhile, tournament favorites and former champions Mardy Fish and Stephen Curry are tied for ninth with 35 points, keeping the leaderboard tightly packed and the competition intense.
The unique modified Stableford scoring system used in the ACC encourages aggressive play by awarding points based on the score per hole: a double-eagle earns 10 points, a hole-in-one 8 points, an eagle 6 points, a birdie 3 points, par 1 point, bogey zero points, and double bogey or worse results in a deduction of 2 points. This format has led to exciting moments, including a hole-in-one by former baseball player Jimmy Rollins on the par-3 12th hole, earning him a $325,000 Mastercraft boat.
Not all celebrities have enjoyed smooth sailing, as Charles Barkley experienced a significant drop in the standings, losing 16 points on Saturday to fall from a tie for 24th to a tie for 61st with a total of minus-7 points in the 90-player field.
The ACC is renowned for bringing together sports and entertainment stars in a competitive yet friendly atmosphere. The 2025 tournament continues this tradition, showcasing the talents and personalities of athletes from diverse backgrounds. Pavelski, who finished second last year behind Mardy Fish and has placed in the top three for the past three years, knows the challenge ahead. "It's going to be very competitive (Sunday)," he stated. "You're going to want to stay kind of in your lane and do your thing, but you're going to enjoy it at the same time and realize how much fun you have to have while you're competing and doing that. And see a few putts go in (Sunday) will definitely make that easier."
Fans can catch the final round action starting at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 13, with the last group featuring leaders Pavelski, Twellman, and Owen teeing off at 9:41 a.m. from the First Tee. The event is broadcast across NBC, Golf Channel, and Peacock, ensuring wide accessibility for golf enthusiasts and supporters of the celebrity athletes.
As the tournament enters its decisive phase, the leaderboard remains tightly contested, with only nine points separating the top ten players. The mix of seasoned pros, sports legends, and entertainers makes for a compelling finish that promises drama, skill, and plenty of excitement at the picturesque Edgewood Tahoe course.
