Former tennis star Mardy Fish has moved to the top of the leaderboard at the American Century Championship, taking a four-point advantage into the final round at Edgewood Tahoe.
Mardy Fish is closing in on a third American Century Championship title after a strong second-round performance pushed him into the lead at the celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe.
The former professional tennis player produced a 25-point day under the tournament’s modified Stableford scoring system, lifting his total to 52 points with one round remaining.
Defending champion Joe Pavelski sits four points behind Fish after adding 19 points in the second round.
Golf legend Annika Sörenstam remains firmly in contention in third place with 47 points, while NBA superstar Stephen Curry is fourth on 41.
Fish Moves Into Position for Third Tahoe Title
Fish entered the weekend chasing another victory at a tournament where he has already enjoyed significant success.
The former tennis star won the American Century Championship in 2020 and again in 2024.
A victory this year would give Fish his third title and further strengthen his reputation as one of the most accomplished celebrity golfers in the event.
His second-round surge proved decisive as he overtook first-round leader Pavelski and established a narrow advantage heading into the final day.
Joe Pavelski Remains Close Behind
Pavelski is still well positioned to defend his championship.
The former NHL star opened the tournament strongly and held the first-round lead before Fish moved ahead on Saturday.
With only four points separating the top two players, the title remains wide open.
The modified Stableford format rewards aggressive scoring, meaning a run of birdies or an eagle can quickly change the leaderboard.
Annika Sörenstam Pushing for Historic Victory
Sörenstam is another major threat heading into the final round.
The LPGA great sits just five points behind Fish after two rounds.
Her position near the top of the leaderboard sets up an intriguing final-day battle against Fish and Pavelski.
Sörenstam’s experience and consistency could prove crucial if the leaders struggle under pressure.
Stephen Curry Still Has a Chance
Stephen Curry remains in the championship conversation despite trailing Fish by 11 points.
The Golden State Warriors star has already shown he can produce dramatic moments at Edgewood Tahoe.
Curry won the tournament in 2023 and remains one of the event’s biggest attractions.
While he faces a significant gap heading into the final round, the scoring format means a strong run could quickly bring him back into contention.
How the Modified Stableford Format Works
Unlike traditional stroke-play golf, the American Century Championship uses a modified Stableford scoring system.
Players earn or lose points based on their performance on each hole.
Strong scores such as birdies and eagles are heavily rewarded, encouraging competitors to play aggressively.
The format can produce dramatic leaderboard swings and gives trailing players an opportunity to make rapid progress.
That could make the final round particularly unpredictable with several proven competitors near the top.
Star-Studded Field Competes at Edgewood Tahoe
The American Century Championship brings together leading names from sports and entertainment for one of the most prominent celebrity golf events in the United States.
The 2026 field features athletes and celebrities from basketball, football, hockey and other sports.
Edgewood Tahoe provides a dramatic setting on the shores of Lake Tahoe and has hosted the annual celebrity tournament for decades.
Fish, Pavelski, Sörenstam and Curry will now enter the final round as the leading title contenders.
What Happens Next?
The championship will be decided in Sunday’s final round at Edgewood Tahoe.
Fish begins the day with the advantage, but his four-point lead over Pavelski leaves little room for error.
Sörenstam is also within striking distance, while Curry will need a major scoring surge to challenge for another title.
With the modified Stableford format capable of producing sudden changes, the battle for the 2026 American Century Championship
