LAKE TAHOE, Nev. – Saturday marked day two of the official American Century Championship (ACC) at Edgewood Tahoe. The day consisted of second-round pairings based on player results during the first round on Friday, leading to a higher intensity of competition going into the final day of the tournament, Sunday.
Starting tee-offs began around 7:40 a.m., and the last group left the green around 3:15 p.m. Similar to Friday, celebrities, including the 2023 tournament winner and Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry, could be seen practicing for today’s rounds on the driving range before their tee time.
Pairings today were based on the player ranking from yesterday’s round, leading to similar levels of play and mindset amongst those in each group. The pairing with the top three scorers from yesterday included Curry, former NBA player and 2021 tournament winner Vinny Del Negro and former NHL forward Joe Pavelski, who was sitting in first place.
Similar to Friday, teams moved through the course in threesomes, gaining or losing points depending on their shots along the way. South Tahoe Now intern Sabrina Philip stayed at the tenth tee for 45 minutes, interviewing celebrities on the overlap between their careers and the golf course.
One of the most crowd-anticipated groups formed from player rankings was group 16 with Saturday Night Live lead writer and personality Colin Jost, actor Miles Teller and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Before moving on to the next hole, Jost spoke exclusively to Philip, concerning his career at SNL, and who in the tournament he would want to host the show next.
“I think Trevor Lawrence,” said Jost. “Miles did it last year, I can’t answer him, and I can’t give him an even bigger ego. Trevor, I think is great because he’s fresh. He’s awesome, super cool dude. It’s the first time I’ve gotten to really hang with him and play, but I feel like he’s young and gets us a Florida demo. I predict he might host in the future.”
Following was group 18 with former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith, known for his footwork while on the team. Yet, he told South Tahoe Now that this footwork doesn’t help his golf game since “foundation is fundamental, and consistency is everything.” Furthermore, he commented on what his dynamic duo partner, Troy Aikman, taught him about teamwork and team chemistry.
“It teaches a lot,” said Smith. “Diversity itself makes everything better. Passing game, running game balance. Everybody’s trying to find a work-life balance in their life. Football is the same way; Bounce off the attack, running the ball, passing the ball, staying consistent, those are things that we work on.”
Finally, Philip stayed at hole 10 and exclusively interviewed comedian Ray Romano to ask him about how his Italian upbringing and heritage is translated onto the golf course.
“As you can see, I’m eating, so that’s the Italian in me,” said Romano, who was eating a sandwich at the start of the interview. “I always need to have food. I like to yell, I try to keep it clean when the kids are around. I got a little bit of a temper, but I also have fun, just like the Italians.”
A big surprise for fans occurred when Claire Kittle and Kristin Juszcyk, wives of 49ers tight end George Kittle and 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, appeared on the green with their husbands. Known for their friendship and support on the sidelines of their husbands’ games, the two were wanted for photos and autographs from the crowd. Furthermore, many referenced Kristin’s fashion brand, “Off Season,” which launched in early 2025 after her creative outfits made from her husband’s jerseys went viral.
Another aspect of today’s excitement was a competition at the 12th hole, sponsored by Mastercraft. Participants in the tournament had the chance to make a hole-in-one for the opportunity to take home a brand new Mastercraft boat worth $325,000. According to former MLB infielder Jimmy Rollins, his prayers were answered when he got his first-ever hole-in-one and won a Mastercraft at the same time.
“I really just didn’t know what to do,” said Rollins, referencing his reaction to the shot. “It was like, ‘Wow, this is crazy, it actually went in the hole.’ And everybody went to high-five me, but I’m just like, ‘That ball went in the hole!’ It was a great time. It was a great start. My first one. I’m glad I got to do it at the American Century Championship. What a great place to get it done.”
Crowd chaos also centered around the 17th hole, known for its music, high energy, boats pulled up on the beach behind the hole, and player-fan interactions. Specifically, a speaker on the beach in front of the boats gives players a chance to show off their dance moves or singing skills on the course, as seen today by former NFL wide receiver Jerry Rice. Dancing to the cheers of the audience, he pointed to fans while laughing at those dancing along with him.
Another well-known dancer, actor, TV host and comedian, Alfonso Ribeiro, made his way to the hole next, teasing his signature dance, the Carlton. Yet, Ribeiro told Philip there is no particular dance move he learned on “Dancing with the Stars” that helped him with his golf game, as the two are very different.
As the day came to an end on the green, fans caught Rice having lunch with his family overlooking the driving range and the last hole. Additionally, the Kelce brothers, former NFL center Jason Kelce and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, earned many cheers as they finished their round and made their way over to talk with Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Miles Teller, Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
One of the final groups of the game included Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is known for his love and familiarity with California. Thus, South Tahoe Now asked him his favorite spot in Lake Tahoe.
“I like to go to Zephyr Cove,” said Rodgers. “Go out on the jet-skis.”
The day ended in the media room with four press conferences. The first was with World Golf Hall of Fame member Annika Sorenstam and country music singer Jake Owens, who are ranked in fifth and third place, respectively. The two discussed the time they had to practice before the tournament, and how the high-energy crowd, especially at the 17th hole, impacted their game.
“I mean, the crowds are incredible,” said Sorenstam. “I think there’s so many people. I mean, they’re so enthusiastic. They’re very loud. They’re very energetic. They’re really into it. Standing there on the 17 tee, it’s incredible. I’ve never seen so many boats. I don’t know. It’s really fun. It gives me energy, makes me want to hit some good shots in front of them, and really appreciate
the support from start to finish.”
Two separate conferences followed, with the top three-ranked players in the tournament, including Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen, former United States Men’s National Soccer Team forward Taylor Twellman and former NHL forward Joe Pavelski. While Pavelski spoke in a separate press conference from his fellow participants, they all commonly spoke of
their performances during the day and how they are preparing to compete for a victory on Sunday.
“It’s going to be very competitive tomorrow,” said Pavelski. “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 puts go in tomorrow will definitely make that easier.”
The tournament will come to a close tomorrow with round one tee times from 7:35 to 9:36 a.m., and pairings based on the results of the rounds today. Stay tuned to southtahoenow.com and the South Tahoe Now Instagram for tournament updates and coverage of the tournament’s winner.
