History made with Mark Mulder win at 2017 American Century Championship

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The 28th annual American Century Championship is in the books, and former Major League Baseball pitcher Mark Mulder won for the third straight year, the first three-peat at the celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe.

Mulder and his wife Lindsey once again brought their three kids to Lake Tahoe, all who ran out to the 18th green after Mark finished the day with a three-day total of 73 with the modified Stableford scoring.

Because his kids think it's a given for dad to win the American Century, Mulder said it's added pressure to his game. His son Zayden and caddie Kenny said they'd jump in the lake if Mulder three-peated, so they went swimming as dad dealt with the media.

“It is really cool," Mulder said of his win. "My kids put more pressure than anyone else. They jokingly say prior to this tournament, ‘Dad, when do we get to go to that tournament where we get to run out on the 18th green? I know that sounds ridiculous but that is what they think. They are used to that. It has now been three years in a row. I honestly feel it more for them then I do anywhere else. I am just here to have a good time.”

"It's awesome to have them here," said Mulder said of his kids. "They think this the norm."

Mardy Fish and Derek Lowe, Mulder's golf threesome for the day, tied for second. They had a 62 with Stephen Curry right behind at 60. Tony Romo, one of the early favorites, finished the day tied for 16th place with a 47.

"If I finished second or third, I'd walk out of this tournament telling myself 'I need to play better'," said Mulder of how other golfers can beat him. "D. Lowe can flat out play and there are a lot of good players out here."

“I was more nervous this year than the other two years," said Mulder. "I’m not going to lie. The first two years, I just wanted to compete. I happened to get it done. This year, knowing that no one had ever three-peated, it was on my mind. I kept saying to my caddy, let’s stick to our game plan and the putts are going to fall. Eventually they did and it worked out.”

Mulder said there was no chance he'd make a run at joining the golf tour. He golfs with many of them on his home course in Arizona.

"There are four there that can beat me in their underwear and barefoot," said Mulder.

One of the crowd favorites, Golden State Warrior Stephen Curry ended Sunday with a four-under par 68 and an eagle on 18. His 68 was the lowest round of the tournament for any of the golfers.

"This feels so good," Curry told Charlie Rymer, analyst for the Golf Channel, as they walked the fairway on 18.
“I had an amazing time," said Curry. "Played with great competitors in Justin Timberlake and Tony Romo. Just to be in this atmosphere, like we have said all week, is totally different for us. Totally different than an NBC arena. The adrenaline was unbelievable and obviously to play well meant a lot.”

The top 10 for the American Century. For a full list of scores, visit http://www.scoring.r2it.com/golf/acc/Leaderboard.aspx.
1 - MULDER, Mark.....73
T2 - FISH, Mardy.....62
T2 - LOWE, Derek.....62
4 - CURRY, Stephen...60
5 - ROENICK, Jeremy..56
T6 - PFEIFER, Chad...55
T6 - MODANO, Mike....55
8 - RODGERS, Aaron...53
T9 - SMOLTZ, John....52
T9 - FAULK, Marshall.52
T9 - *ELWAY, John....52

The top women players at the tournament, Blair O'Neal and Paige Spiranac, finished in the top 14. O'Neal had a 51, Spiranac a 50.

Mulder and his family will be spending a few more days in Lake Tahoe rafting, boating and perhaps a return trip to Heavenly's Epic Discovery.

"Lake Tahoe is a great family trip," said Mulder. He said they may come earlier and stay longer next year. "No reason to go back to Arizona where it's 115 degrees."

For his efforts, Mulder takes home a check for $125,000. When asked what the family would do with that money he said his son had an idea, but Mulder said it would most likely it would go towards the new home they're building in Arizona.

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