The stars were out at the 2023 American Century Championship. During Thursday’s Pro-Am, Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz of GOLF’s SubPar podcast emceed the ACC Korbel Celebrity Long Drive competition. The scene was POPPIN’.
From Pat McAfee coming straight off a plane after hosting the ESPY’s for a 7:45 am tee time to Travis Kelce ending the day with a ball that may have cleared the mountains of Tahoe, it was a day for the ages. Colt and Drew rubbed shoulders with the biggest names from the sports and entertainment world as they took their talents to the course. While most shouldn’t think about quitting their day jobs, this celebrity field was stacked with some serious golf talent.
Patrick Mahomes and Steph Curry are arguably the two most exciting players in their respective sports, and they provided two of the most electrifying moments of the day. Mahomes and Curry have developed a bit of a golf rivalry over the past few years at the ACC and most recently as foes in the latest Match. They entered the Korbel Long Drive arena in back-to-back groups. The reigning Super Bowl MVP kicked things off with an electrifying 317-yard drive. Just a few moments later, Curry bested Mahomes by one yard that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Curry took the Full Swing launch monitor that displayed his 318 yards and rushed over the Korbel leaderboard for all to see his accomplishment. From one MVP to the next, these big-time players stepped up in another big-time moment. Curry rode the Long Drive momentum all the way to his first ACC title thanks to a dramatic putt on the 18th green.
With the day winding down, Kelce was the last competitor with serious pop to take his shot.
“Oh my God,” said Kelce. “I have never hit a ball like that in my life.”
It was a once-in-a-lifetime swing that resulted in a whopping 362-yard drive that secured Kelce the victory and a $5,000 charitable donation by Korbel.
“87 and Running is my non-profit charity that helps underserved and underprivileged kids in Kansas City and Cleveland,’ said Kelce. “I’m just trying to make life better for them and my winnings will go to the foundation.”
Check out the Top 10 from the 2023 ACC Korbel Long Drive Competition:
- Travis Kelce: 362 yards
- Adam Thielen: 328 yards
- Steph Curry: 318 yards
- Patrick Mahomes: 317 yards
- Josh Allen: 315 yards
- Jon Lester: 315 yards
- Jayson Werth: 311 yards
- Derek Carr: 310 yards
- Larry Fitzgerald (with a 3-wood): 309 yards
- AJ Hawk: 304 yards