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WWE STAR The Miz will be among golfers in the field for the 36th installment of the prestigious American Century Championship Celebrity Golf Tournament.
Golfers start practicing at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe on the border with California and Nevada 9-13 July.
Miz, whose real name is Mike Mizanin, Pakinomist told Digital in a recent interview he wants to jump back at this year’s event after completing the bottom of the field last year.
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WWE WRESTLER MIZ responds as he goes to the 18th hole at the American Championship in American Century at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course July 12, 2024, in Stateline, Nev. (Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
“I’m so dedicated to doing well in ACC that I started my own golf YouTube channel called ‘Miz Golf’, and literally I train with the best of the best – George Gankas, James Leadbetter. As you name it, I train for it. I’m very good. I feel like my swing is better than it
“My understanding of the game has gotten far better … I know what to do. It’s just more to apply these rules and get reps and reps and reps.
“So I feel very confident, very good. I have to go out there.
The ACC field is filled with famous athletes and actors, from Stephen Curry and Tony Romo to Colin Jost and Ray Romano. Any average Joe could easily be Starstruck playing with and against those they see on the basketball court.
For Miz, most of the pressure he feels comes from the crowd and TV cameras.
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WWE WRESTLER The Miz hits his tee shot on the 10th hole before the American championship in American Century at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course 11 July 2024 in Stateline, Nev. (Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
“I feel the pressure from the audience,” he said, explaining that when he goes to golf on the weekends on a regular course, no one sees him. “Here (in Edgewood) there are thousands of people. Then you get an adrenaline rush when they advertise your name like your Tiger Woods.
“And you get up there and you can’t even feel your club in your hands because your adrenaline goes, your nerves go so much. And you just pray to God that your swing literally hits the ball and it goes straight.”
Charles Barkley is usually one of the former athletes participating in the field. He ended 58. Last year between Gary Sheffield and celebrity chef Bobby Flay.
Miz remembered the first time he played on ACC and was paired with Barkley.
“Everyone told me,” Hey, at least you want to beat Charles, right? At least you beat Charles, right? ”” Miz remembered Pakinomist Digital. “Charles Golf, as you see on YouTube. It was a long time ago. He’s got a workout. His swing is incredible. I saw Charles Barkley hit the ball and I went, ‘oh, no. He wants to beat me and everyone will make fun of me because everyone knows Charles for the hitch he has. But he doesn’t have it hitch anymore. He actually has very good.
“So I mean, just walking up and down the field and being intimidated by Charles Barkley, who everyone said I would beat is for a moment in my mind.”
Overall, Miz Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course said in his top five of golf courses he has played and he looks forward to the tournament.
The tournament will also raise money for local and national charities. The event is a 54-hole stableford format, where golfers earn points for each hole based on the scoring for pairs. The golfer, who achieves the most points wins.
Stephen Curry celebrates the trophy after sinking the winning putt during the final round of the US Century Celebrity Championship Golf Tournament at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev., July 16, 2023. (Tom R. Smedes/Special to RGJ/US Today Network)
Former tennis star Mardy Fish won the tournament last year. Stephen Curry was the winner in 2023. The Golden State Warriors star will be back in the field in July.
