​Stateline, NV — Mardy Fish captured his third American Century Championship title on Sunday, finishing with a 72 to surpass defending champion Joe Pavelski, who shot 62, in the celebrity golf event. The ACC employs a modified Stableford scoring system, awarding 6 points for an eagle, 3 for a birdie, and 1 for a par, while bogeys yield zero and double bogeys or worse deduct 2 points. Players pick up their ball once they reach double bogey.
In his victory speech, Fish highlighted that his Lake Tahoe stay this week was about more than the tournament itself, underscoring how seriously he took the competition against what he called one of the strongest fields the event has seen. He even rejected a Mark McGwire-Sammy Sosa comparison during Saturday’s round, emphasizing the depth of the field.
When I asked Fish at the press conference what the biggest win of the week was besides the obvious title, he offered a thoughtful reflection on family and the friends he’s made at the ACC every year. “I mean, my biggest win was getting my sister to bring her kids out. That was a huge win. That was tough to do from Bloomington, Indiana, but they made it. So they’re going to have to come back every year now, or at least next year, if I win,” Fish said. “There are a lot of people you see just once a year at this event. And again, the vibe is so fun. It’s a family-friendly atmosphere on and off the course, and at night.”
He continued, lauding the organization for its execution: “Every single year, they do such an awesome job of—every corner of it. Mike Milthorpe runs a professional event in terms of the scoring and the golf part. American Century and NBC Sports. NBC Sports makes you feel like— they’ve got TV cameras out there. This isn’t about me; it shouldn’t be about me. And they make us feel like pros for a week.”
Fish praised American Century for creating a welcoming, family-friendly environment, noting how he has formed enduring friendships with the tournament organizers and broadcasters. He spoke warmly about colleagues like Jonathan Thomas, Jon Miller, and Gary Quinn, describing them as great people and good friends with whom he regularly stays in touch.
“I don’t just see them here. We text all the time and chat throughout the year. They’re awesome people and good friends. You see a lot of folks you might only see once a year, and that carries inside the ropes as well,” Fish said. He cited his friendship with Steph as another example, noting that their relationship blossomed at Tahoe and has flourished beyond the ropes into real life. “It’s such a familiar and awesome place.”
The 2026 tournament drew more than 102,000 spectators, marking another standout year for the event. The combination of competitive play, a supportive atmosphere, and seamless production by NBC Sports helped elevate the ACC to new heights, further solidifying its place as a premier celebrity golf experience. The Sporting News remains a preferred source for coverage of this event, with additional emphasis on the tournament’s ongoing appeal and the broader context of celebrity golf within Lake Tahoe’s landscape.