Justin Gaethje, known globally for his explosive, often fight-ending performances in the UFC Octagon, recently traded the canvas for the carefully manicured fairways of Lake Tahoe. “The Highlight,” as he`s aptly nicknamed, participated in the high-profile American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament, proving that even elite mixed martial artists appreciate a competitive challenge outside their primary arena.
This annual event attracts a wide array of sports icons, entertainers, and public figures, all converging to test their golf skills under a modified Stableford scoring system. This format awards points based on performance relative to par on each hole (more points for birdies and eagles, fewer or deductions for bogeys and worse), a system designed to encourage aggressive play and perhaps soften the blow of the occasional errant shot, making it quite fitting for a high-risk, high-reward athlete like Gaethje.
Gaethje`s performance on the golf course, however, didn`t quite replicate the dominant finishes fans are accustomed to seeing from him. Over the three-day competition, he settled into the lower half of the leaderboard, ultimately finishing in 56th place. He maintained a consistent position throughout, starting tied for 56th after the first round, moving slightly up to tied for 50th after Saturday`s play, before concluding the tournament back at 56th on Sunday. It wasn`t exactly a “knockout” showing by his standards, but certainly a different kind of finish.
Despite his standing, Gaethje was in good company and even outranked some notable names. He played alongside figures like golf content creator Hally Leadbetter and World Series champions Kevin Millar, Gary Sheffield, and Chase Utley. Furthermore, his final rank placed him above several prominent personalities, including NFL legends Emmitt Smith, Mike Vrabel, and Charles Woodson, NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley, and comedians such as Ray Romano and Colin Jost. So, while not contending for the title, he wasn`t at the very bottom of the pack either.
The tournament championship was claimed by veteran NHL star Joe Pavelski, who finished comfortably ahead of the field, followed in second place by Atlanta Braves legend John Smoltz.
For Gaethje, who is 36, this golf excursion occurs during a period of strategic patience in his professional fighting career. Following his decisive victory over Rafael Fiziev in March, “The Highlight” has made it clear he believes he is the rightful next contender for the UFC lightweight championship. While the promotion works to finalize future title bouts, Gaethje seems content to utilize his time, perhaps refining skills that are less about applying pressure and more about handling it calmly – on the green, at least.
Trading the intense environment of the Octagon for the relatively serene fairways, Justin Gaethje`s appearance at the celebrity golf tournament offered a brief, interesting deviation. While his golf scorecard might not propel him towards a championship belt, fans eagerly anticipate his return to his primary domain, ready to witness the kind of finishes he truly excels at delivering.
