Predictions for Steph Curry, Austin Reaves, Top Stars at American Century Golf

Fans of the American Century celebrity golf tournament may notice that a few usual favorites aren't in this year's field.

Patrick Mahomes, who is recovering from a torn ACL, is out, as is Josh Allen, who recently became a father. And, as you might have heard, Travis Kelce recently got married and won't be in attendance either.

However, fans will still be treated to a star-studded field that includes mainstays like Steph Curry, Austin Reaves and The Miz, along with newcomers like Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton and Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald.

Here's a look at what's ahead, including scheduling information and predictions for some of the tournament's biggest stars.

2026 American Century Championship

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Brian Urlacher

Where: Edgewood Tahoe Resort

When: July 10-12

Prize Purse: $750,000 ($150,000 to winner)

TV and Live Stream Schedule (all times ET)

Friday: 3 - 6 p.m. on MSNBC and Peacock

Saturday: 2:30 - 6 p.m. on NBC and Peacock

Sunday: 2:30 - 6 p.m. on NBC and Peacock

Top Stars and Recent Winners

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Austin Reaves

As far as celebrity tournaments go, things don't get much more star-studded than the American Century Championship.

While a few familiar faces won't be at this year's event, celebrity athletes like Curry, Reaves, The Miz, Alex Caruso, and Drew Brees are set to be in the field. So are non-sports celebrities like Brian Baumgartner, Anthony Anderson, Colin Jost, and Rob Mac.

This year's tournament will feature several newcomers, as well, including Hamilton, Macdonald, ESPN broadcaster Sean McDonough, NBA coach Doc Rivers, NHL star Brady Tkachuk, pop musician Brett Young, and NFL coach Robert Saleh.

A full list of participants can be found at NBCSports.com.

While several celebrity golfers are good enough to make a real run at the American Century Championship, the tournament has typically been won by current or former athletes.

Last year, for example, former NHL star Joe Pavelski took first place. The previous year, former Tennis star Mardy Fish won the American Century for the second time. Curry won it in 2023, while former NFL quarterback Tony Romo won for the third time in 2022.

The list of recent winners also includes former NBA player and coach Vinny Del Negro, former MLB pitcher Mark Mulder, and former NFL quarterback Mark Rypien. The last non-athlete to win was actor/singer Jack Wagner in 2011.

Tournament Preview and Predictions

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Joe Pavelski

Winning the American Century Championship isn't easy, which is why some of the top competitors have won multiple times. The three-day tournament is played on a par-72 course and features a 54-hole modified Stableford point-scoring format to determine a winner.

Under the format, a score of three-under-par is worth 10 points, a hold-in-one is worth eight points, an eagle is worth six points, a birdie is worth three points, and a par is worth one point. A bogey is worth zero points while a double-bogey or worse is worth minus-two points.

In other words, precision and consistent play are required, and no one is going to luck into a tournament victory.

Expect former champions like Romo, Curry, and Fish to have an excellent shot at notching another victory. Expect competitors like John Smoltz, who was last year's runner-up, and 24 third-place finisher Annika Sorenstam to be in the mix as well.

Also, don't be shocked if a fringe contender like Austin Reaves makes a jump this year. This will be Reaves' third time out at Tahoe, and he finished tied for 13th in each of his previous outings.

Of course, none of this means that more casual competitors like Charles Barkley, Rich Eisen, and Nate Bargatze can't enjoy the tournament as well. They just aren't widely expected to be in contention.

"I think we have different levels of players," NBC Sports President of Acquisitions & Partnerships Jon Miller said, per Andrew Hughes of The Sporting News. "We have probably a dozen players who are capable of winning this event at the highest level, whether it's a John Smoltz, or a Mardy Fish, an Annika Sorenstam, a Steph Curry, someone like that."

The prediction here is that Pavelski repeats after winning once and notching two second-place finishes in the last four tournaments.

Prediction

1. Joe Pavelski

2. Stephen Curry

3. Tony Romo

4. Mardy Fish

5. Austin Reaves