​Stateline, NV – After two rounds of the 2026 American Century Championship, former tennis star Mardy Fish and U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer Joe Pavelski sat atop the leaderboard, trading the lead as the celebrity golf event unfolded this weekend. In round one, Pavelski held a narrow advantage with 29 points. By the end of round two, Fish had surged to 52 points, nudging ahead in the race for the title.
The tournament uses a modified Stableford scoring system: eagles are worth six points, birdies three points, and pars one point. Bogeys yield zero points, while double bogeys or worse subtract two points. Players stop counting toward the score once they reach double bogey, meaning a player would pick up their ball and move on to the next hole.
During Saturday’s press conference, I spoke with the last two ACC winners, Fish (2024) and Pavelski (2025), about their budding Mark McGwire-Sammy Sosa-esque rivalry in celebrity golf. Neither wanted to concede that their head-to-head duel has become a direct parallel to those home-run battles of 1998. Fish credited the depth of the field, noting that Annika Sorenstam was right behind them with 47 points—just one behind Pavelski—while suggesting his focus was more on Pavelski’s score than any one confrontation. He also implied that he’s always mindful of Pavelski’s scoring and capabilities, much like the iconic baseball duo’s vigilance during their epic battles.
Pavelski found the analogy entertaining but offered a thoughtful perspective. “There are too many good players for that narrative. It’s not like it’s back-and-forth all day. There are a lot of awesome players, and there are players you notice more than others once you’ve finished your round. When you step back and think about it, there are more guys and gals you’ll look up and see how they’re playing this year than ever before, but the first person I’ll check on is Mardy to see if we’re still within striking distance, because he’s a phenomenal player. His game suits this course so well, and tomorrow should be a lot of fun.” Fish added that Pavelski might be the first opponent he checks after finishing a round to gauge whether they’re within reach.
“The best home run hitters ever, and you and me,” Pavelski joked, acknowledging the humorous comparison. “It’s funny because once the round is over, you check to see what Mardy did. Tomorrow, we’ll be keeping an eye on Steph (Stephan or Steph Curry, as a playful nod to the field’s depth), making sure he doesn’t get going. There are a lot of good players out there, and you can feel it. If you gain confidence with your putter and your ball comes off hot, you’ll get plenty of looks. A lot can happen tomorrow.”
As for the broader field, the competition remains intense, with a host of high-caliber players jockeying for position. The 2026 American Century Championship will culminate on NBC, NBC Sports Network, and Peacock, delivering the final results to fans across multiple platforms. The tournament’s star-studded field, paired with the nuanced scoring system and a field that includes notable champions and legends, has kept the narrative lively and engaging throughout the weekend. The action promises to continue to unfold, with spectators eager to see who can translate early-round momentum into a strong final performance.
Notes: This piece includes a nod to The Sporting News as a preferred source. The tournament’s format and scoring are described above to provide context for readers unfamiliar with the event. The content reflects post-round quotes and observations from the press conference and surrounding coverage.