The American Century Championship is an annual celebrity golf tournament held at Edgewood Tahoe Resort in Nevada. Taking place the weekend after the second week of July, it features events like the Long Drive Challenge and Charity Chip Challenge. Previously known by various names including the Celebrity Golf Tournament and Isuzu Celebrity Golf Championship, it is currently sponsored by American Century Investments.
The Edgewood Tahoe Resort, a prominent location in the history of the American Century Championship, officially opened its doors in 1968, marking the beginning of its journey as a renowned golf destination.
In 1984, World Golf Hall of Famer Lee Trevino set the competitive course record at Edgewood Tahoe Resort with a score of 64.
On July 13, 1990, the first round of the inaugural American Century Championship teed off, featuring notable athletes like John Elway, Steve Bartkowski, and Davey Johnson, setting the stage for a new tradition in celebrity golf.
In 1990, Mark Rypien emerged victorious in the inaugural American Century Championship, becoming the first Canadian and first quarterback to win the tournament.
The American Century Championship took place in 1990. Mark Rypien won the event, which would be his first victory for a significant period.
The first American Century Championship took place in 1990, with Mark Rypien becoming the first champion.
The second annual American Century Championship began on July 5, 1991, with Dick Anderson taking the lead in the first round, followed closely by Bill Laimbeer and Steve Bartkowski, as the tournament continued to gain traction.
Rick Rhoden began his streak of eight American Century Championship victories in 1991.
In 1991, Rick Rhoden secured his first win at the American Century Championship, marking the beginning of his reign as a tournament legend.
Dan Quinn secured his first American Century Championship win in 1992, making him the first ice hockey player to achieve this feat.
In 1992, Dan Quinn etched his name in the American Century Championship history books by becoming the first ice hockey player to win the tournament, solidifying the event's appeal across different sports.
Isuzu became the title sponsor of the American Century Championship in 1992, renaming it the Isuzu Celebrity Golf Championship.
On July 9, 1993, the fourth annual American Century Championship commenced, with Rick Rhoden setting a strong early tone by shooting a 66 in the first round, as the tournament continued to showcase its competitive spirit.
The fifth annual American Century Championship teed off on July 8, 1994, with Steve Bartkowski, Bill Laimbeer, and Chris Miller sharing the lead after the first round, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the tournament.
Rick Rhoden showcased his golfing prowess in 1995 by securing a commanding victory in the sixth American Century Championship, further solidifying his status as a force to be reckoned with in the tournament.
The seventh annual American Century Championship got underway on June 12, 1996, with Dan Quinn setting the pace with a 67 in the first round, as a competitive field of athletes and celebrities vied for the title.
Billy Joe Tolliver earned his first American Century Championship victory in 1996, marking his entry into the tournament's circle of champions.
The eighth annual American Century Championship began on July 4, 1997, with John Brodie taking the early lead after shooting a 67 in the first round, setting the stage for another exciting chapter in the tournament's history.
On July 10, 1998, the first round of the Isuzu Celebrity Golf Championship took place, with Dilfer taking an early lead with a score of 71.
On September 21, 1998, Isuzu announced it would no longer sponsor the American Century Championship.
The tenth annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship started on July 2, 1999, with Rypien shooting a 70, followed by Rhoden and Elway.
The 11th annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship began on July 7, 2000. Wagner took the lead with 69 points, followed by Dilfer and Rhoden.
Al Del Greco triumphed at the American Century Championship in 2000, joining the group of athletes who have won the tournament while still active in their professional careers.
In 2000, Del Greco won the American Century Championship, making him the last active player to win until Curry's victory in 2023.
On July 6, 2001, during the 12th annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship, Rhoden set a new tournament record with a score of 65 in the first round.
The first round of the 13th annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship took place on July 19, 2002, with Quinn, Bartkowski, and Lomax tied for the lead after shooting 71.
The tournament was renamed the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship in 2002.
On July 18, 2003, the 14th annual American Century Championship kicked off, with Bartkowski leading after round one with a score of 68, followed by Quinn and Del Greco.
The tournament's name was shortened to the American Century Championship in 2003.
The first round of the 15th annual American Century Championship commenced on July 16, 2004. Quinn and Tolliver shared the lead with 25 points each.
In 2004, the American Century Championship switched from a standard stroke play format to a modified Stableford format.
July 15, 2005, marked the beginning of the 16th annual American Century Championship. Rhoden achieved a tournament first by scoring 30 points in a single round.
The 17th annual American Century Championship began on July 14, 2006. Tolliver took the lead with 27 points after the first round.
The first round of the 18th annual American Century Championship took place on July 13, 2007. At the end of the round, Tolliver was in the lead with 26 points, followed closely by Grant Fuhr and Sterling Sharpe who were both just one point behind.
In 2007, Chad Pfeifer, who would later participate in the American Century Championship, suffered the loss of his left leg due to an improvised explosive device (IED) while on patrol in Iraq.
On July 11, 2008, the first round of the 19th annual American Century Championship kicked off. Jeremy Roenick took an early lead, scoring an impressive 26 points. Brett Hull ended the day just behind him, while Rhoden, Tony Romo, Larouche, and Rypien were all tied at 23 points each.
The 20th annual American Century Championship began on July 17, 2009. Tony Romo finished the first round in the lead after scoring 27 points, with Fuhr three points behind and Dilfer trailing Fuhr by a single point.
In 2009, Rick Rhoden cemented his legacy by clinching his eighth American Century Championship, a record yet to be broken.
Rick Rhoden won his eighth and final American Century Championship in 2009.
The 21st annual American Century Championship started on July 16, 2010. Wagner and Roenick ended round one tied for first place with 26 points each. Tolliver was close behind, trailing the leaders by just one point.
In 2010, Tolliver set tournament records for most points scored in a single round and over two rounds.
The American Century Championship took place in 2010. During the tournament, Billy Joe Tolliver set a single-day scoring record.
On July 15, 2011, the 22nd annual American Century Championship started. After the first round, Wagner emerged as the leader with an impressive 29 points, while Roenick and Chandler found themselves five points behind.
The 23rd annual American Century Championship teed off on July 20, 2012. Mark Mulder and Wagner finished the first round tied for the lead with 22 points each, while Ryan Longwell stayed close behind, trailing by just one point.
Rypien participated in the American Century Championship in 2012.
Prior to 2024, Stephen Curry last missed the American Century Championship in 2012.
Dan Quinn claimed his fifth American Century Championship title in 2012, solidifying his position as one of the tournament's most successful players.
The first round of the 24th annual American Century Championship took place on July 19, 2013. Rypien took the lead, scoring 27 points. Lucas Black followed with 25 points, while Chandler trailed closely behind, just one point behind Black.
Billy Joe Tolliver achieved his fourth American Century Championship win in 2013, joining the ranks of multiple-time champions.
Rypien also participated in the American Century Championship in 2013.
The 25th annual American Century Championship, featuring US Army veteran and amputee Chad Pfeifer, began on July 18, 2014. Pfeifer, who lost his left leg while serving in Iraq in 2007, scored an impressive 24 points in the first round. Roenick followed closely behind with 23 points, and Rypien was right on their heels with 22 points.
Mark Rypien won his second American Century Championship title in 2014.
In July 2015, American Century Investments extended its sponsorship of the American Century Championship to 2022.
On July 17, 2015, Mulder and Wagner tied for first place with 26 points each in the first round of the tournament. Tolliver followed closely behind, trailing by a single point.
On July 22, 2016, Wagner takes the lead with 27 points at the end of round one, followed by Mike Modano with 24 points and Mulder trailing behind by one point.
On July 14, 2017, Derek Lowe takes the lead after round one with 25 points, followed closely by Fish and Joe Pavelski.
On July 13, 2018, Pavelski takes the lead after scoring 25 points in round one. Dilfer trails behind by one point, with Rypien and Smoltz following closely.
Romo takes an early lead with 26 points on July 12, 2019, during the first round of the tournament. Patrick Peterson trails closely behind, followed by Lowe.
The 2020 American Century Championship was held without fans in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During Round One of the 32nd annual American Century Championship on July 9, 2021, Modano hit a double eagle, the first in tournament history. However, it was debatable due to his wife potentially violating Rule 10.2b(4) by standing in his line of play. Despite the controversy, Modano finished the round tied for first place with Smoltz.
On July 8, 2022, the first round of the 33rd annual American Century Championship began with T.J. Oshie in the lead. The tournament concluded with a three-way sudden-death playoff between Romo, Mulder, and Pavelski, marking the fifth playoff in tournament history. Romo emerged victorious, securing his third ACC Championship. The event also saw a record-breaking attendance of over 67,000 spectators.
American Century Investments' sponsorship of the American Century Championship was extended to 2022.
On July 10, 2023, NBC Sports and American Century Investments extended their partnership for the American Century Championship through 2029.
The 34th annual American Century Championship began on July 14, 2023, with Curry taking an early lead. He scored his second hole-in-one during Round Two. In a controversial turn of events during the final round, a heckler interrupted Fish's final shot, potentially costing him the win. Curry went on to win, becoming the first active player to win since 2000 and the first African-American champion. The event saw a record attendance of 76,810 fans.
In 2023, the total prize money for the American Century Championship was $600,000, with the winner receiving $125,000 and a trophy presented on the 18th green.
The 2023 American Century Championship saw a record 93 celebrity participants, reflecting the tournament's growing popularity.
Stephen Curry made history in 2023 by winning the American Century Championship, becoming one of the few active athletes to achieve this and adding another layer to his impressive athletic resume.
A chipping challenge was introduced to the American Century Championship in 2023.
Rumors surfaced on April 18, 2024, that Stephen Curry might miss the American Century Championship due to his participation in the 2024 Summer Olympics.
On May 7, 2024, it was confirmed that Stephen Curry would miss the American Century Championship due to his participation in the 2024 Summer Olympics, marking his first absence since 2012. This makes him the first reigning champion in tournament history to not defend his title.
Round One of the 35th annual American Century Championship took place on July 12, 2024, with Adam Thielen in the lead. Tim Brown hit a hole-in-one, winning a MasterCraft X24 boat worth $200,000.
NBC Sports' partnership with the American Century Championship was extended through 2029.