Former NHL star Joe Pavelski toasted a dramatic victory at the American Century Championship by taking a dip in Lake Tahoe.
The 41-year-old sunk a stunning eagle putt on the 18th green to confirm his victory in the annual tournament that this week brought 90 celebrities to Stateline.
The ACC uses a special stableford scoring system and Pavelski ended on 73 points from his three rounds – nine clear of former baseball star John Smoltz.
Musician Jake Owen finished in third on 62 points, with former US soccer star Taylor Twellman (61) and NBA icon Steph Curry (58) rounding off the top five.
Curry is a previous winner at Edgewood Tahoe but he was powerless to prevent Pavelski – who retired in 2024 – from lifting the trophy.
He takes home a prize of $150,000 (from a purse of $750,000) and becomes the third hockey player to win the event – after Dan Quinn and Mario Lemieux. Pavelski said some of the money would go towards a new boat.
Former NHL star Joe Pavelski secured a dramatic win at the American Century Championship
The 41-year-old sunk a stunning eagle putt on the 18th – and then took a dip in Lake Tahoe
Last year’s winner, tennis legend Mardy Fish, finished ninth, with former baseball star Mark Mulder, golf icon Annika Sorenstam, ex-NFL quarterback Tony Romo and actor Michael Pena making up the top 10.
Some of the biggest stars in the field finished at the other end of the leaderboard. Jason Kelce ended on -51 points, in 86th place, with his brother Travis in 63rd.
But their final-round group, which also included actor Miles Teller (75th), drew some of the biggest crowds on a busy Sunday.
Elsewhere, NFL legend Aaron Rodgers finished in 15th, with Bills star Josh Allen in 34th and basketball hall of famer Charles Barkley in 69th.
But this week belonged to Pavelski, who turned 41 on Friday, celebrated his 17th wedding anniversary on Saturday and then lifted his first ACC trophy on Sunday.
NFL legend Aaron Rodgers finished in 15th, with Bills quarterback Josh Allen in 34th
Brothers Jason and Travis Kelce entertained the crowds all weekend at Edgewood Tahoe
He has twice finished second in recent years.
‘I’ve had some close calls along the way… it feels so good to finally get one,’ Pavelski said afterwards.
‘I believed I was ready for it… (but) golf is a weird game. It’s mental, physical, everything, it’s a challenge.’
He added: ‘It’s special coming out here, obviously, and selfishly I get to play a bunch of golf, and it’s a very competitive group out here. It’s just an awesome setting.’
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