Aaron Rodgers hasn’t missed an American Century Championship in the 18 years he’s been in the NFL, but his participation this year brings a twist — a man bun twist.
The Green Bay Packers quarterback’s hair is on the line during this weekend’s celebrity golf tournament at the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada, thanks to a bet made with Charles Barkley. If Barkley finishes ahead of him, Rodgers said he’ll let the former NBA star cut his man bun.
It’s not exactly a high-pressure bet considering Barkley has had a near-bottom finish in the past. Last year he finished 76th out of 88 golfers, which was his best result in years.
So don’t expect Rodgers, who sported a mustache during Thursday’s practice rounds, to break a sweat when the game starts today and runs through Sunday.
Barkley has made it clear that he’s not a fan of the bun.
“Just because you’re too cheap to cut your hair doesn’t make it a style,” Barkley joked at a performance in Reno, Nevada last month to promote the American Century Championship. “Man, here’s $25. Head down to Fantastic Sam’s and get that thing cut off the back of your head. Just because you don’t cut your hair doesn’t make it a style. But Aaron is a much better golfer than me, but I am happy to donate to his charity.”
If Rodgers wins, Barkley will donate $25,000 to the North Valley Community Foundation in Rodgers’ hometown of Chico, California. It’s the same charity that Rodgers donated $1 million to set up NVCF’s Aaron Rodgers Small Business COVID-19 Fund. His 10 episodes as a guest on “Jeopardy!” Host in 2021 also raised $236,725 for the foundation.
Barkley made the bet with Rodgers during “The Match VI,” the televised golf competition that pitted Rodgers and Tom Brady against Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Rodgers and Brady won, but commentary from Barkley, a TNT analyst, provided the entertainment.
Rodgers, who has finished in the top 20 of the American Century Championship for the past five years, will return to golf with many of his friends including former Packers players AJ Hawk and Charles Woodson, Top Gun: Maverick actor Miles Teller , singer Justin Timberlake and Brian Baumgartner from “The Office”.
Rodgers shared a photo on his Instagram Story Thursday of himself posing with young Packers fans at the event.
All three rounds of the tournament will be streamed live on Peacock on Saturday and Sunday from 1.30pm to 5pm. NBC will also record live coverage on Saturday and Sunday. The Golf Channel is taped from 6:30pm to 8:30pm today and 2am to 5am on Sunday. `
Contact Kendra Meinert at 920-431-8347 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @KendraMeinert.