The National Hockey League captures the top 3 spots after the first round of the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship. Leading the way is the San Jose Sharks All-Star Center, Jeremy Roenick. Roenick fired a 2 under par round of 70, scoring a total of 26 points just edging out playing partner and former NHL All-Star Brett Hull. Hull's 1 under par round consisted of 4 birdies and one eagle scoring him a total of 25 points. Both Hull and Roenick eagled the 18th hole which scores 6 points in this modified stableford scoring system. Rounding out the top three is another former NHL All-Star, Pierre Larouche. Larouche played solid golf all day long and posted a 1 under par round of 71 scoring the 2 time Stanley Cup Champion 23 points.

Six-time Celebrity Golf Champion, Rick Rhoden, finished up strong by shooting 2 under par on his final 9 holes. This former MLB Pitcher was only 1 birdie away from tying Roenick for first place. Also tied with Rhoden is Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Tony Romo and former Superbowl MVP Mark Rypien. Romo started of on fire but just couldn't keep it going on his back nine. By most accounts, Rypien played the best golf of the day but only managed to score 23 points with only 1 bogie coming on the par 3 17th hole.

Early round leader Vince Coleman played great golf but finished up by posting 2 bogies on his final 2 holes leaving him with only 22 points tied for 7th. Also scoring 22 points today is the NFL All-Time Receiving leader Jerry Rice. Rice posted an even par round of 72 with 4 birdies. It was Jerry's best round at this tournament so far. The question is will these first time leaders fold under the weekend pressure or will we have a new champion come Sunday.

Geoff Burke
Tahoecelebritygolf.com