Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje, the formidable force known for delivering electrifying knockouts in the UFC lightweight division, recently took a temporary break from the octagon to step onto a different kind of green. This past weekend, Gaethje joined a star-studded lineup at the **American Century Championship** in picturesque Lake Tahoe, Nevada, a high-profile celebrity golf tournament featuring athletes and entertainers from across the spectrum.
Unlike the brutal efficiency he`s known for inside the cage, Gaethje`s performance on the golf course was, by traditional fighting metrics, less of a “highlight” and more of a participation effort. Competing under a **Modified Stableford** scoring system – a format that awards points based on the score relative to par, encouraging aggressive play and rewarding birdies and eagles generously – Gaethje finished the three-day event tied for the **56th** position overall.
His journey up (or down) the leaderboard was a modest one. He began the tournament tied for 56th after the first round, managed to improve slightly to tied for 50th after Saturday`s play, but ultimately ended up back in a tie for 56th by the close of play on Sunday. During the event, he shared the fairways with various notable figures, including golf content creator Hally Leadbetter and former MLB World Series champions.
Now, before anyone suggests Gaethje trade his striking coach for a putting instructor, it`s worth noting that finishing 56th in this field isn`t entirely without merit. He successfully placed higher on the leaderboard than several household names, including NFL icons **Emmitt Smith**, Mike Vrabel, and Charles Woodson. Perhaps most amusingly, he also finished ahead of NBA Hall of Famer and famously enthusiastic golfer **Charles Barkley**. Landing ahead of Chuck in *any* golf tournament is a minor victory in itself, adding a touch of irony to Gaethje`s otherwise humble finish.
The tournament`s top honor ultimately went to longtime NHL veteran **Joe Pavelski**, who demonstrated championship-level precision on the links, finishing well ahead of the pack.
For Gaethje, 36, participating in events like the American Century Championship provides a competitive outlet while he awaits his next move in the professional fighting world. Following his decisive victory over Rafael Fiziev in March, “The Highlight” has been clear about his aspirations, positioning himself as the rightful next contender for the **UFC lightweight title**. Until that opportunity materializes and the bright lights of the octagon call him back, it appears the quiet greens of Lake Tahoe offer a temporary, and significantly less violent, stage for his competitive spirit.
