Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry said Tuesday he won’t be able to defend his American Century Championship title after accepting a spot on the U.S. Olympic basketball team that will compete in the Paris Games this July and August.
Curry won the 2023 championship with a walk-off eagle on the final hole of the event in the tournament’s most thrilling ending. He carded four eagles in three days of tournament play, including a hole-in-one during the second round and the scintillating do-or-die 18-foot putt on the final hole to capture the title.
“I’m disappointed that I won’t be able to defend my title at the American Century Championship in Tahoe this summer, but the chance to represent my country and, hopefully, win an Olympic gold medal for the first time at the 2024 Games in Paris is an opportunity that I simply could not pass up,” Curry said in a news release issued by the American Century Championship. “I look forward to returning to the shores of Lake Tahoe and creating more memories next July and in subsequent years. In the interim, I know that Dell and Seth will represent the Curry family well in my absence, but if one of them doesn’t come home with another trophy for our mantel, I will be highly disappointed!”
In addition to Dell and Seth Curry, the tournament will feature 84 sports and entertainment celebrities competing at Edgewood Tahoe from July 12-14. The field will include current and former athletes such as Charles Barkley, Tony Romo, Josh Allen, Jerry Rice, Steve Young, Aaron Rodgers, John Elway, Ray Allen, DeMarcus Ware, Baker Mayfield, Kyle Lowry, Brian Urlacher, Charles Woodson, Canelo, and Larry Fitzgerald. Entertainers feature Colin Jost, Miles Teller, Nate Bargatze, Ray Romano, Don Cheadle, Carson Daly, Jake Owen, Larry the Cable Guy, Rob Riggle and Brian Baumgartner.
Previous tournament winners include 3-time champions Romo and former MLB pitcher Mark Mulder, two-time winner Jack Wagner, along with Mardy Fish, and Vinny Del Negro, plus top competitors Annika Sorenstam, John Smoltz and NHL star Joe Pavelski.
“Well, we’ve discovered that the only thing Stephen Curry can’t do is be in two places at once,” Jon Miller, President of NBC Sports Acquisitions and Partnerships, said in a news release. “Obviously, the tournament and our fans are as disappointed as Steph that he can’t be here, but representing our country at the Olympics and going for gold is a proud priority to support. We wish Team USA and our entire Olympic contingent well and look forward to having Steph defend his American Century title in 2025.”
The three-day, 54-hole tournament awards a $750,000 purse, with $150,000 to the winner, plus a charity component for local and national non-profits. The 2024 American Century Championship will utilize the Modified Stableford format whereby points are awarded by score per hole. Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, a George Fazio design, has been ranked among America’s top 100 courses by numerous golf publications through the years.