STATELINE, Nev. – Steph Curry is back in title contention, almost as if he never left it.
Curry is two points off the lead after Friday’s opening round of the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe, where he won two years ago in his last appearance.
“It was nice to get back in that environment really quickly,” Curry said.
Former San Jose Sharks star Joe Pavelski owned the first-round lead with 23 points, followed by Vinny Del Negro (22), Curry (21) and Taylor Twellman (21) in the Stableford scoring format.
Curry birdied three of his final five holes — but bogeyed Nos. 16 and 17 — in his encore at Edgewood. He detoured from last summer’s tournament to win Olympic gold with the U.S. team in Paris.
“There’s definitely confidence for sure,” Curry said. “You just want a little clarity of what you’re tyring to do and not worrying about the results. Staying in the presence is what’s important.”
Curry was introduced as co-defending champion with Mardy Fish, the 2024 winner, at Thursday’s pre-tournament press conference.
A hamstring injury two months ago spelled the end of Curry’s 16th season with the Warriors, who then fell in the Western Conference semifinals to Minnesota. Curry certainly looked healthy Friday playing alongside his father, Dell, and brother, Seth.
“It was obviously fun playing with my dad and my brother, matching outfits and getting the vibe going,” Steph Curry said.
He opened with a bogey, but he climbed the leaderboard with birdies at Nos. 14 and 15. Back-to-back bogeys preceded his 18th-hole birdie.
An errant drive on No. 18 forced Curry to consider three different shots before a phenomenal approach shot that led to his birdie. Said Curry: “That was just knowing, ‘I’m not a professional golfer. I want to win this tournament. It’s kind of a cool shot. Let’s go for it.’ And it worked out.”
His final putt circled the hole before dropping, prompting Curry to celebrate by twisting his hips in hula fashion.
Pavelski, a runner-up two of the past three years, is seeking his first title here on Lake Tahoe’s south shore. He celebrated his 41st birthday Friday.
“I’ve played with some of the guys that have won it and I’m trying to get there,” Pavelski said. “I’ve been in contention enough. I’d like to keep my head forward, keep moving and come up with enough big shots on the way.”
Pavelski excelled with the Sharks from 2006-19, then played five seasons in Dallas before retiring a year ago.
Leading the 49ers’ three-man contingent was Jerry Rice (plus-2), ahead of Kyle Juszczyk (0 points) and George Kittle (minus-9).
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Fish, last year’s winner, is tied for eighth place after finishing with 17 points.
“The energy is unbelievable. From the time you put the tee in the ground on the range, you feel it,” Curry said. “That’s why this tournament is so special. We’re trying to live our best golf dreams. …Course is playing hard, too, which is making it interesting and hopefully that continues through the weekend.”