LPGA Star Puts Major Celebrity Golf Tournament on Comeback Schedule
June 26, 2018 (SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev.) – The 2018 American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe will welcome a unique competitor next month: professional golfer Natalie Gulbis. The 29th annual tournament will be aired live July 13-15 on NBCSN and NBC. (www.americancenturychampionship.com)
The 35 year-old LPGA star has overcome three back surgeries in recent years and is focused on returning to top form. She is making her strategic return this season to the women’s tour, where she won the prestigious 2007 Evian Masters and has a host of other accomplishments as one of the circuit’s most popular players.
She follows in the footsteps of special invitee Annika Sorenstam, who finished tied for second in the American Century Championship in 2014, two years into her retirement following a legendary career on the LPGA Tour. Gulbis immediately becomes one of the favorites to win the $600,000 competition and its $125,000 first prize. She is listed at 10-1 by the Harrah’s and Harveys Race and Sports Book behind three-time defending champion Mark Mulder (5-2), Tony Romo (3-1), Mardy Fish (5-1), Eric Gagne (8-1), and alongside John Smoltz (10-1).
Now coming off a three-year injury hiatus, Gulbis began her professional golf career at 18 after she tied for third place in the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament in 2001, earning her card for the 2002 season, at the age of 18. She has 37 top tens and career earnings of almost $5 million. She has started five tournaments this year, missing three cuts and finishing 42nd in the HUGEL-JTBC LA Open, where she shot a 68 in the final round. She represented the United States on the Solheim Cup team in 2005, 2007 and 2009.
“This will be a great week in Tahoe for the American Century Championship,” stated Gulbis. “I attended the tournament as a kid for many years, traveling from my hometown near Sacramento, and I can’t wait to tee it up with those talented pro-athlete golfers.”
The lineup of superstars includes Steph Curry, Aaron Rodgers, Charles Barkley, Ray Allen, Larry the Cable Guy and 15 Hall of Fame athletes and dozens of all-stars and all-pros in the field of 90 athletes and entertainers. For a complete list of players, click here.
The American Century Championship continues to attract record attendance with its superstar field, family appeal, and charity fundraising at Lake Tahoe, one of the country’s most attractive summer destinations. Now in its 29th year, the tournament tests the golf skills of 90 stars from sports and entertainment and has donated more than $5 million to charities.
American Century Investments, the title sponsor of the championship since 1998, continues its role in the nation’s premier celebrity golf tournament through 2022, along with partnerships with NBC Sports, the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course and the South Tahoe community.
The tournament will be televised live by NBC and NBCSN from Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, its home since the 1990 inaugural. NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network will televise the tournament live as follows:
Friday, July 13: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. PT on NBC Sports Network
Saturday, July 14: 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. ET, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. PT on NBC
Sunday, July 15: 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. ET, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. PT on NBC
For the latest details, photos, celebrity tweets and fan contests go to @ACChampionship on Twitter and Instagram and facebook.com/ACChampionship. For tournament information: www.AmericanCenturyChampionship.com.
For real time updates on promotions, packages, conditions and events in South Lake Tahoe, visit The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TahoeSouth, Twitter: www.twitter.com/TahoeSouth and YouTube: www.youtube.com/TahoeSouth. For information about Lake Tahoe South Shore, call 1-800-AT-TAHOE (1-800-288-2463) or visit www.TahoeSouth.com.
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