Known globally for his explosive, high-octane performances inside the UFC cage, where he`s earned the moniker “The Highlight,” Justin Gaethje recently traded his mixed martial arts gloves for a set of golf clubs. The stage for this temporary career shift? The star-studded American Century Championship, a celebrity golf tournament held annually in picturesque Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
Gaethje joined a diverse field of competitors, ranging from fellow professional athletes across various disciplines to well-known personalities from the worlds of film, television, and media. Among those navigating the course alongside the formidable lightweight contender were golf content creator Hally Leadbetter and World Series-winning baseball veterans Kevin Millar and Gary Sheffield.
Unlike traditional stroke play, the American Century Championship employs a modified Stableford scoring system. This format awards points based on scores relative to par – more points for birdies or eagles, fewer or even negative points for bogeys or worse. It`s designed to encourage aggressive play and can lead to dramatic shifts on the leaderboard. For Gaethje, the shift wasn`t quite so dramatic.
Over the three-day competition, “The Highlight” maintained a consistent position near the middle-to-lower end of the standings. He began tied for 56th after the first round, slightly improved to a tie for 50th by the end of Saturday`s play, but ultimately finished the tournament exactly where he started on the leaderboard: 56th place overall.
While a 56th-place finish isn`t exactly the kind of “highlight” performance fans are used to seeing from Gaethje in the octagon, it`s worth noting that he did manage to finish ahead of several other prominent figures. This list includes NFL icons Emmitt Smith and Charles Woodson, and famously avid golfer (and sometimes commentator) Charles Barkley. Perhaps not a championship win, but minor victories are victories nonetheless.
The top honors went to 18-season NHL veteran Joe Pavelski, who dominated the field, finishing a considerable distance ahead of baseball legend John Smoltz in second place. Their performances underscored the surprising golf talent present among participants from seemingly unrelated sports.
For Gaethje, currently 36 years old, the golf outing comes during a period of anticipation in his primary career. Following a decisive victory over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313 in March, he has made it clear he believes he is the rightful next challenger for the UFC lightweight championship. While awaiting official news on his next fight booking, moments spent on the golf course represent a stark contrast to the intense, high-stakes environment he typically inhabits.
His appearance at Lake Tahoe serves as a reminder that even the most hardened combatants appreciate a change of pace. While his performance on the fairway didn`t mirror his knockout power in the cage, Gaethje`s participation added another layer of interest to the celebrity event. Fans eager to see “The Highlight” back in action will have to wait for his return to the octagon, where his performances are guaranteed to be significantly more impactful than a 56th-place finish.
