Stateline, NV — Charles Barkley wrapped up the 2026 American Century Championship in 69th place among the 90 competitors. Given that he entered with the longest odds of anyone in the field, that performance was widely viewed as a success. However, Caesars Sportsbook had posted a prop bet projecting him to finish at 63.5, and by that measure, his showing fell short of expectations.
At 63 years old, Barkley isn’t getting any younger. And if anyone assumed his appearances at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort greens were behind them, they’d be mistaken. On Sunday, Sir Charles spoke to the media at NBC’s annual celebrity golf gathering about what lies ahead for him.
“I always appreciate the support,” he said following his final round. “I’m going to keep battling and keep going. This is the best week, and you just do the best you can. I played pretty good, but I’ve got to get better, plain and simple.”
Throughout the tournament, Barkley made it clear he was competing with the fans in mind, stating on Friday, “I’m having a blast. I want people to win that money. I think I’m a better player this year. I’m getting better at golf.”
Unfortunately, Saturday proved to be the day things came undone for Barkley. He wrapped up the second round with -14 points and slid to 71st place out of 90, having recorded 10 double bogeys and four bogeys along the way. His Sunday round was improved, but not enough to cash tickets for bettors who backed Caesars’ prop.
Charles Barkley will always be part of the American Century Championship
Even if Barkley reaches a point where he can no longer play competitively, rest assured he’ll remain a presence on Lake Tahoe during the second weekend of July for years to come.
As 2026 ACC champion Mardy Fish pointed out when I asked him at the post-tournament press conference what his biggest victory of the week was apart from taking home the crystal cup trophy and the Masters-style green jacket presented in honor of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research it’s the connections forged out on the course.
“American Century does such an awesome job of creating such a fun family-friendly atmosphere. And over the years, I’ve become such good friends with those guys, Jonathan Thomas and Jon Miller and Gary Quinn and these guys,” Fish said. “I don’t just see them here. We text all the time and chat all the time throughout the year. They’re just awesome people, and they’re good friends. You just see a lot of people that you sort of never see. And that goes inside the ropes, too.”
If Charles isn’t teeing it up, he’ll likely make on-air appearances and perhaps even contribute to commentary, much like he does with basketball, his primary sport. If he’s not playing, he’ll be involved in the American Century Championship in some capacity.
Barkley is woven into the fabric of the ACC. The tournament would feel incomplete without him. When I spoke with NBC Sports’ Jon Miller, he singled out Barkley by name as one of the non-contenders who helps define the event’s identity.
It has never really been about whether Barkley wins. What has always mattered is that he’s part of the American Century Championship.
And that isn’t going to change anytime soon.
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