In South Lake Tahoe, California, ex-NHL star Joe Pavelski triumphed at the American Century Championship on Sunday at Edgewood Tahoe. He finished strongly with an eagle, winning over former pitcher John Smoltz by nine points in a start-to-finish victory in the celebrity competition.

Pavelski accumulated 29 points during the final round using the modified Stableford scoring system, culminating in a total score of 73. The previous year, he finished as the runner-up to former tennis player Mardy Fish.

“I’m at a loss for words,” confessed Pavelski, who celebrated his 41st birthday on Friday. “It’s been an incredible week. This venue is fantastic. It means everything to me.”

Pavelski earned $150,000 from the $750,000 purse.

Smoltz had a 28-point round.

“I was trying to put heat on anybody, the top three,” Smoltz said. “I was just trying to climb as many people as I could.”

Country star Jake Owen was third at 62 after a 21-point day.

Taylor Twellman, the former soccer player who shared the second-round lead with Pavelski, was fourth at 61. He had 17 points in the final round.

NBA star Stephen Curry, the 2023 winner, was fifth at 58 after a 23-point round.

Charles Barkley was 69th in the 90-player field at minus-17 points.

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