It's the "Stephan and Stephen Show" for the next two days on the Web.com Tour.
Chattanooga's Stephan Jaeger has been partnered with Golden State Warriors guard and two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry for the first two rounds of the Ellie Mae Classic, which begins today in Hayward, Calif. Curry, who received a sponsor's exemption to this event in June, has 2,500-to-1 odds to win the tournament and 9-to-1 odds of simply making the cut.
"It would probably require me to play two of the best rounds I've played in my life," Curry told reporters earlier this week on his prospects of sticking around for the weekend.
Jaeger, a former Baylor School and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga golfer, won this tournament last year, making national headlines with his opening round of 58. His sizzling start overshadowed his next three rounds of 65, 64 and 63, which added up to a staggering 30-under-par 250 that won the tournament by seven strokes.
With two victories to his credit this season, Jaeger has amassed $252,871, ranks third on the Web.com money list, and has clinched a PGA Tour card for the 2018 season. Sam Ryder, who is second on the money list with $282,107, is the third partner along with Jaeger and Curry.
Jaeger, Curry and Ryder are scheduled to tee off this morning at 11:55 EDT (8:55 local), and they will tee off Friday afternoon at 5:15 (2:15).
Appearing on "Press Row" on Chattanooga's ESPN 105.1 FM several weeks ago, Jaeger was asked what it would be like playing with Curry.
"It would be awesome to play with an MVP in any sport, whether it's basketball, baseball or football," Jaeger said. "You can ask him questions that athletes ask each other as far as the approaches they take. It's really cool to play with Hall of Famers and superstars, and it would be a really cool experience to get to play with him."
And the outcome?
"I would wear his butt out," Jaeger said. "That guy has no chance that week."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.