Jack Wagner wins Tahoe Celebrity tourney

STATELINE - As actor Jack Wagner waited out a delay on the 18th tee on Sunday, he didn't use the extra time to reflect on any tournament memories forged out of 17 years of playing the punishing home hole.

In fact, only Bill Laimbeer, had a more painful public history on the scenic par-5, a risk-reward finishing hole that entices players to go for a green - protected on both sides by water - in two.

But history changed with one pressure-packed putt. Wagner coaxed in a slick 10-foot birdie putt on the closing hole to win his first American Century Championship title at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.

"I've started to breathe again," said Wagner, beginning a post-tournament press conference.

The star of "The Bold and the Beautiful" still won't list No. 18 as one of his favorite holes. It's a tough driving hole for him because he doesn't hit a draw. Consequently, there have been too few birdies on No. 18, preventing him from winning more often.

Wagner finished runner-up to Rick Rhoden in 2003 and has placed third and fourth twice. In 2003, he entered the final round as a co-leader but could have had the outright lead if not for the unforgiving 18th.

Following Sunday's 10-minute delay on the 18th tee that Wagner spent visiting with family members, the former "General Hospital" star blocked his tee shot into the right rough. Impeded from a clear shot to the green by a gaggle of ominous pine trees, Wagner elected to punch out and take his chances of making birdie with his wedge game.

"Hitting it right turned out to be an advantage because I really didn't have to go for the green," Wagner said. "I sort of took the water out of play, and I had to make birdie because I knew these guys were going to make birdie."

That patience paid off as Wager choked up on a sand wedge and calmly settled his third shot 10 feet right of the pin.

Meanwhile, Billy Joe Tolliver, who began the hole one point behind, left his second shot short of the green, while four-time champion Dan Quinn got back into position for an unlikely win with a fantastic long iron to 15 feet below the hole.

"I didn't see (Dan's second shot), I was over talking to people about me," Wagner joked. "I figured he could make that, because he was due. He didn't make anything all day."

After Tolliver stuck his chip shot within a couple feet for a certain birdie and Quinn's eagle attempt didn't find the line to the cup, Wagner correctly read his right-edge putt and deftly delivered the right speed for a clinching birdie and $100,000 first prize.

"I'm glad the last putt was downhill, because I was pretty nervous over that. It had enough speed and it went dark," Wagner said.

Wagner became the first entertainer to win the title. In the previous 16 championships, a sports personality had always captured celebrity golf's biggest title.

"I'm so happy about that," Wagner said. "I'm glad I could represent, not only Hollywood, but the entertainment world in terms of golf."

Tolliver, the first- and second-round leader, finished runner-up, a point behind Wagner. Tolliver, who would have won if Wagner had missed the tricky birdie putt from the edge of the green, interrupted Wagner's press conference to tell the champion that he had ruined his home life.

"I just got off the phone with my wife and her saying, 'You suck. Quit the game,'" Tolliver said. "I need a little love at home."

What Tolliver would have given for a few more pars on Sunday. Through six holes, he didn't complete a hole in regulation, starting with three bogeys and three birdies. He finished his final round with five pars, eight bogeys and five birdies.

"There were a lot of chances to make some putts, and (Jack) was the one who made the putts for par that we didn't make," Tolliver said.

Wagner fell as many as nine points behind Tolliver on No. 4 and still trailed by eight after six holes. Three three-putts contributed to Wagner's slow start, but he drained a 25-foot birdie putt on No. 9 and a fast 18-foot downhill birdie on No. 12 to get back into contention.

"He went through his emotions early," Quinn said. "He got relaxed when he made his bogeys at the beginning."

Wagner finally caught Tolliver on the par-4 14th, capitalizing on a precise approach shot and sinking a 12-foot birdie attempt.

"I really focused on my putts and made sure I gave myself enough time," Wagner said.

The shot, however, saving Wagner's momentum followed a pulled tee shot into the left rough on No. 15. Blocked from going at the pin by some overhanging branches, Wagner relaxed by reverting to the entertainer in him.

Looking at his caddie-son Peter, Wagner said, "Can you grab my cellphone and call Tiger Woods?"

Wagner didn't need Woods. He executed a cut shot from 180 yards with an 8-iron and found a small target just off the front of the green. After a delicate chip up the slope and then down the hill left him 10 feet for par, Wagner canned the uphill putt. That gave him a one-point lead that he never relinquished.

"The best man won," said Tolliver, who collected a $50,000 consolation prize.

Quinn was third with 67 points and earned $30,000.

Mario Lemieux, the 1998 champ, tied with Grant Fuhr for fourth place and was pleased to see Wagner receive his due.

"He's always enjoyed this tournament, so it's nice to see him come through," Lemieux said. "I'm a little bit (surprised) he hasn't won this before. But it's always a tough tournament down the stretch and there are so many good players."

By Steve Yingling

Tribune sports editor

STATELINE - Nobody knew how much Jack Wagner wanted to win the American Century Championship than his wife and two children.

Wagner's two sons, Peter and Harrison and wife, Kristina, all played a part in the actor capturing the elusive celebrity golf title. Peter, 15, caddied for dad for the first time and kept "The Bold and Beautiful" star composed through each round's tense moments.

"I can tell you that I've never been so proud of him than I am today," said Kristina, who once played Felicia on "General Hospital." "This is really a highlight for him. He's overcome a lot of things."

Harrison, 11, and Kristina were summoned within the ropes by Wagner on No. 18 when a backlog of groups delayed the final threesome's tee shots by 10 minutes.

Wagner also used the tense break to even the delicate balancing act of attention that Peter was winning during the 54-hole championship as dad's caddie.

"The reason why I called Harrison over was that Peter had been on TV all week, and Harrison has been at summer school, so I knew he'd be a little blue if he didn't get on the tube," Wagner said.

Wagner went on to birdie the hole, preserving a one-point victory over defending champion Billy Joe Tolliver.

"He's been coming to this tournament for so long, it's awesome to see him finally take it home because he's such a great golfer," Peter said.

Harrison realized how much his dad coveted this title two weeks earlier when temperatures soared in Southern California.

"I really didn't want to go to the golf course because it was a 100-something. He wouldn't stop hitting golf balls. No Harrison, I have the Lake Tahoe tournament," Harrison recalled. "He kept practicing so much, that he won this."

Wagner spent a lot of quality time with his oldest son at the golf course in the two months leading up to the tournament. Hence, there really wasn't any thinking about Wagner's his caddie would be in the 17th ACC.

"It's a dream come true to not only to play but win here with your boy on the bag," said four-time champ Dan Quinn, who finished third.

When the winning putt was safely in the cup, Wagner raised both hands skyward before shaking hands with runner-up Tolliver.

"I've always wanted him to finally win this tournament because it's always been so close," Harrison said. "This time I was "Come on, make it" and crossing my fingers, and I saw it disappear, and I was like 'Yes.'

After receiving congratulations from Tolliver and Quinn, Wagner turned and hugged Peter, who provided the winning combination that the actor had searched hard to find over the years.

"Peter has been watching my game and I've been watching his game. He made me feel very comfortable out there," Wagner said.

But Tolliver offered one criticism of Peter in his dad's press conference.

"Peter, we need to work on your celebrations, young man. It's OK to show emotion," Tolliver said.

When Peter was informed that caddies usually receive 10 percent of the winner's purse, Wagner already had his son's cut spent.

"I just suggested he pay for his private schooling this year," Wagner joked.

Wagner ranked the victory alongside winning the AT&T National Pro-Am with John Cook in 1991, a year after his dad passed away.

"To have Peter on the bag here, that's family, and that's what it's really all about," Wagner said.

NFL players have boast notable improvements

By Jeremy Evans

Tribune staff writer

STATELINE - Marshall Faulk's NFL career is winding down with the St. Louis Rams and Sterling Sharpe hasn't played professional football since 1994. But Faulk and Sharpe have proven they have a future in celebrity golf.

Faulk carded a three-day total of +53 to finish a career-best eighth overall, while Sharpe improved 14 spots from last year's tournament to finish in a tie for a career-best ninth at the 17th annual American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.

"I hit the ball better today," said Faulk, who began the day at +36 in the modified Stableford scoring format. "That's all. I'm not playing that much more than last year. But the back nine, I was ambushed. I didn't play well on the back nine. All the putts I made were for pars."

Faulk double bogeyed No. 10 to fall to +46 but had terrific up-and-downs on Nos. 13 and 15 to get to +50. Sharpe, meanwhile, had the best round of day going on Sunday until disaster struck.

Walking up to the No. 17 tee, Sharpe was at +56 and destined for a top-5 finish. But double bogeys on Nos. 17 and 18 left him with a three-day total of +52. He tied for ninth with NFL kicker Ryan Longwell.

"Sterling was hot," said Buffalo Bills head coach Dick Jauron, who was grouped with Sharpe during Sunday's final round. "He played a terrific round, but the pace slowed down a little bit at the end and the last few holes weren't great for him."

Sharpe, who finished in a tie for 23rd last year (+42), was also aiming for the best round of the day before his collapse. Grant Fuhr shot a final-round best +24, while 2006 ACC winner Jack Wagner and Vinny Del Negro both shot +23.

Sharpe, who suffered a broken neck during the 1994 season that ended his NFL career, gave back four strokes on the final two holes when pars on both would've netted him a final-round +24. He declined to be interviewed for this story.

The Stableford format awards six points for an eagle, three points for a birdie, one point for a par, zero points for bogey and +2 points for double bogey. It's a format that certainly helped Faulk because his scrambles on the back nine kept him in the top-10.

As for contending when he retires from the NFL, the 33-year-old running back couldn't say.

"You never know," said Faulk, who was named the NFL MVP in 2000. "You just have to get out here and play, then let the chips fall where they may."

Fuhr ever going to contend?

Grant Fuhr has had plenty of athletic success his life. A 2003 inductee into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Fuhr was a six-time NHL all-star goalie who won five Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers. But, even with numerous top-10 finishes, the scratch golfer has never posed a serious threat to win the American Century Championship.

"I obviously feel like I have a chance, but you got to be able to make putts out here," said Fuhr, who finished in a tie for fourth with Mario Lemieux (+58). "I played good all three days, and today's round was a nice, simple round. My game's good right now. I just haven't been able to make enough putts out here."

Webber wins (sort of)

He may have finished 77th in the 79-player field, but Philadelphia 76ers forward Chris Webber actually won on Sunday. His three-day score of minus-71 was seven points better than Charles Barkley, who finished in a tie for last place with "The Apprentice's" Carolyn Kepcher at minus-78.

The past three years, Barkley and Webber have wagered $50,000 for who would finish higher on the leaderboard. Webber won last year, as well, meaning Barkley will have contributed $100,000 to Webber's charity foundation over the past two years.

O'Neill goes deep in long drive

Paul O'Neill, a five-time World Series champion with the New York Yankees, won Friday's long drive competition when his tee shot traveled 357 yards. Houston Texans quarterback David Carr was second (324 yards) and was followed in the top-5 by Billy Joe Tolliver (316), Chris Chandler (312) and Jerry Rice (307).