VINNY WAS LOCKED IN A somber but determined Vinny Del Negro honored his father’s legacy by winning the 2021 American Century Championship By Adam Woodward
J
ohn Smoltz could hear his playing partner Vinny Del Negro talking to himself a lot during the final round of the 2021 American Century Championship: “Lock in, Vinny; lock in, Vinny.” That’s what Del Negro’s father would say to him when he was playing basketball, advising his son to not let the emotions run wild and to stay in the moment. Great advice, but easier said than done, especially after his father, Vincent, passed away at 85 years old just days before the annual celebrity event at Lake Tahoe. “It was a difficult week, obviously, with things going on in my personal life. But having an outlet like the American Century Championship, obviously, was a big benefit,” said Del Negro, a former player and coach in the NBA. “Your mind can wander with all the things that were going on with my family. So I was just trying to stay in the moment, trying to enjoy as much as I could a tournament that I played in for a long time, that means a lot to me. I have a tremendous amount of memories and the people I’ve met and played with and the people at NBC and American Century are friends of mine. So being able to incorporate all that throughout the week, for me, mentally, was very helpful.” Helpful indeed. Del Negro made a birdie on the final hole to earn 69 points with the modified Stableford scoring format, matching Smoltz and forcing a sudden-death playoff, the fourth in ACC history. Del Negro took down the MLB Hall of Famer on the first playoff hole, making him the first basketball player to win the event in his 20th appearance – all with the same caddie, Dirk. The 55-year-old will draw on those decades of experience at the event as he plans to defend, July 6-10 at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nevada, but he doesn’t think it’s too big of a benefit. “All the guys there have played for years and Annika (Sorenstam) knows the course well, and so I don’t think that’s an advantage,” said Del Negro, noting how you’ve still got to hit the shots. “It’s an advantage if you’re just playing good golf and able to make some birdies or hit some shots when you need to.” After last year’s event, Del Negro experienced some discomfort in his shoulder, so he went to the doctor and found out he had three
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AMERIC AN CENTURY CHAMPIONSHIP
tears in his right shoulder and three shreds of his labrum. In lieu of surgery and six months of rehab, Del Negro did three PRP injections, a couple cortisone injections, 20 shockwave treatments and five weeks of physical therapy for about six hours a week. He wasn’t able to play in the Lake Nona or Dallas events, but will be back to defend at Lake Tahoe against a formidable field. “Well, it’s all the people that have won, Mark Mulder and Tony Romo and Mardy Fish and obviously Annika and Jack Wagner, and there’s gonna probably be one or two or three guys that have a couple of good rounds, especially with the Stableford,” said Del Negro of his biggest competitors. This year’s field will feature newcomers Colin Jost from Saturday Night Live, former NFL punter and sports media personality Pat McAfee, Mike “The Miz” Mizanin of the WWE and country music star Jake Owen, as well as fan-favorite and longtime competitors Justin Timberlake, Charles Barkley and Larry the Cable Guy. The Tahoe veteran isn’t necessarily looking forward to playing with or meeting any of his other fellow competitors, which isn’t shocking considering he once played a round with Arnold Palmer and George Carlin for an NBA and PGA Tour event back in the day. Sure, Timberlake and Larry the Cable Guy are great, but they aren’t the King. “I’d be very happy if I hit my driver the way I did all three days but obviously I have to work on iron play,” said Del Negro of what he’ll need to do in order to contend again. “It comes down to making putts. If you get your irons in the right spot, you still have to make putts. It’s Stableford, so you’ve got to make birdies, you’ve got to try to throw an eagle here and there if you can.” Del Negro referred to the emotions of winning after losing his father as “raw” and “difficult,” and when he steps back onto the property he’ll surely be flooded with the memories of an unforgettable win. “It’s just something that’s going to be ingrained in my memory for the rest of my life.” (Adam Woodard is a utility club for Golfweek, covering everything from college and amateur golf to the professionals on tour.)
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