Whereas Charles Barkley’s golf recreation has typically been the topic of ridicule, the basketball Corridor of Famer had some candy revenge through the first spherical of the American Century Championship.
On the par-4 second gap, Barkley eagled with an unimaginable shot from the golf green. Barkley’s shot — which was 88 yards from the opening — hit the again of the inexperienced earlier than spinning again and falling into the underside of the cup.
Barkley’s front-nine additionally included a birdie on the par-3 seventh gap. He completed his spherical T24 out of 90 members.
“The group was going loopy. It was unbelievable. It has been a fantastic day,” Barkley advised NBC Sports activities. “I am having a lot enjoyable. I have been working so exhausting on my recreation. … I am actually proud of right now. Extraordinarily glad.”
Barkley, 62, entered the match with the longest odds to win at 7,500-1. His 58th-place end at this occasion a yr in the past is a career-best.
Fellow hoops legend Stephen Curry had much better odds at successful the match. Curry, the 2023 champion, and two-time champ Marty Fish each had +240 odds to win this yr’s occasion. Together with Barkley and Curry, the three-day occasion additionally consists of members Travis and Jason Kelce, present NFL quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Josh Allen and Trevor Lawrence, Corridor of Fame receiver Jerry Rice, Corridor of Fame pitcher John Smoltz, former Cowboys quarterback and present NFL on CBS colour analyst Tony Romo, and World Golf Corridor of Famer Annika Sörenstam.