SOUTH LAY TAHOE, Nevada — Former NHL player Joe Pavelski won the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe on Sunday, closing with the Eagle by defeating former pitcher John Smoltz in a wire-to-wire victory at the celebrity event.
Pavelski had a 29-point round under the modified Stableford scoring system and finished with 73 points. He was second last year to former tennis player Mardy Fish.
“I don’t know what to say,” said Pavelski, who turned 41 on Friday. “But it’s a great week. This place is incredible. It means the world to me.”
Pavelski won $150,000 from his $750,000 wallet.
Smoltz had a 28-point round.
“We were trying to get a fever on the top three,” Smoltz said. “I was trying to climb as many people as possible.”
Country star Jake Owen was third with 62 after a 21-point day.
Former soccer player Taylor Tulman, who shared a two-round lead with Pavelski, finished fourth with the 61st. He scored 17 points in the final round.
The 2023 winner, NBA star Stephen Curry, was fifth in 58 after a 23-point round.
Charles Berkley was 69th in the 90-player field with minus 17 points.