SF: Thomas Keller, Stephen Curry, Andre Iguodala To Play Johnny Miller Pro-Am

Photo Credit: Courtesy Thomas Keller

The world knows that NBA champion Stephen Curry is a helluva basketball player but not everyone knows what a great golfer he is. We’re told he is the best golfer in the NBA. You’ll be able to see for yourself when he, his superstar teammate Andre Iguodala and rock star chef Thomas Keller play in the Johnny Miller Pro-Am during the week of the Frys.com Open next week at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa. Unfortunately Tiger Woods had to pull out of the tournament due to back surgery but with Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Hideki Matsuyama and possibly Danny Lee in the field, we know it’s going to be an exciting few days.

The Frys.com Open is the first event for the PGA Tour’s 2015-16 season. The $6-million event, benefiting many local and national charities, takes place on the North Course the week of Oct. 12-18. On Wednesday, Oct. 14 Curry, the 2014-15 NBA Most Valuable Player, and Iguodala, the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player will play in the morning pro-am, which is expected to start at 8 a.m. It’s not known yet as to whom the PGA Tour professional for their group will be.

“It’s exciting to see athletes come from another platform that also enjoy the game and play as much as they do,” Tournament Director Jeff Sanchez says. “They’re excited to be a part of our event. It’s not just that they’re basketball stars that play golf. They’re real golfers. They’re good players. We’re looking forward to seeing them side by side with one of the Tour professionals, in front of our fans. We think it’s going to be a lot of fun for everybody.

“This increased presence and support by world renowned basketball stars will add to the excitement and add to our ability to support charity. For us, it’s all about the benefit to charity.”

The Frys.com Open, a full FedEx Cup points event, will welcome its strongest field this fall. In addition to McIlroy, Rose and Matsuyama, the commitment list includes Webb Simpson, Hunter Mahan, Paul Casey, Brooks Koepka, Kevin Kisner, Scott Piercy, Brandt Snedeker, Robert Streb and Daniel Berger, just to name a few. PGA Tour members have until Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. to confirm their entry into the tournament.

As for Woods, the 14-time major champion had committed to play but he had microdiscectomy surgery on his back on Sept. 16, in Park City, Utah. Woods is hopeful of returning in early 2016, it was announced on his website, tigerwoods.com.

“I’d like to send my regrets to Frys and all those associated with the America’s Golf Cup,” Woods said on his website. “Those were two events I was really looking forward to playing. I was ready to start the 2015-16 PGA Tour season at Frys, and I was excited to join my good friend Matt (Kuchar) in Mexico City.”