Justin Timberlake Tahoe: Pop star can just be like Mike at American Century Championship

Justin Timberlake is the new Michael Jordan and Larry The Cable Guy isn’t as terrible as oddsmakers make him out to be.

This is what we learned on the opening day of the American Century Championship, which in its 26 year and has grown into a weeklong event. The golf competition is Friday through Sunday, but the overall event began Wednesday. It’s about the chance for everyday people to get an up-close look at celebrities, get their autographs, gamble side-by-side with them in the casinos and to experience Lake Tahoe during its best time of the summer.

“Hi, Justin!” a middle-aged man behind the rope line screamed to Timberlake, the pop singer who walked up the 17^th fairway. “Did you bring your family with you? Tahoe sure is a great place for families.”

Timberlake did not respond, and it was rather awkward for everybody within earshot. But that’s a typical snapshot from the event. When around celebrities, people become starstruck and do strange things like walk into the path of a moving golf cart.

Timberlake’s presence at Edgewood Tahoe was compared by a media member to that of Michael Jordan’s. Jordan is not here this year but when he is, he is followed by hordes of people so adoring they will scramble to retrieve Jordan’s discarded, slimy cigar from a trash can. Timberlake’s entourage is smaller than Jordan’s, but nonetheless, he was the people’s choice on Wednesday.

But wait until Chuck arrives. Charles Barkley is the face of Tahoe’s celebrity golf tournament. He’s been around almost since the beginning and each year his game gets worse. He used to stop his shot in midswing, his face expressing fear and surprise, as if the ball had turned into a rattlesnake. But last year, he simply swang his club with one hand, leisurely walking the course, joking with the gallery and taking a swing every 50 yards or so.

Oddmakers list Barkley at 5,000-1 to win the tourney. The next longest odds are for Larry The Cable Guy, who is 2,500-1. On the practice range, however, the comedian displayed a pretty nice stroke, and, get this, he’s a lefty. Better not tell his fans.

Mark Rypien, the retired quarterback who won the first and last championship here, is 5-1 to win the tourney. Four-time winner Billy Joe Tolliver opened as the favorite at 7/2.

Who will win? Tahoe Onstage predicts John Smoltz, 6-1, who is one of many former Atlanta Braves in Tahoe.

Mike Moreno of Spanish Springs, Nevada, strategically stood all afternoon next to the path to driving range, where each of the celebrities walked. Moreno enticed outfielder Andruw Jones by displaying an Atlanta Braves tattoo on his arm.

“This is the best money you can spend if you love sports,” Moreno said. “It’s gone up from $10 to $15 on Wednesday, but it’s still a good deal.”

For those not in Tahoe this weekend, the tourney will be televised Saturday and Sunday on NBC. For up-to-the minute coverage all week, visit HERE