Gretzkys added to celebrity golf field

There are many great ones in the American Century Championship, but the one and only "Great One" has been added to this week's tournament at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.

NBC added National Hockey League's all-time leading scorer Wayne Gretzky and his wife, Janet Jones, to the 80-player field on Monday.

"Gretzky is back, which is big," said Jon Miller, executive vice president of programming for NBC's Sports.

The 54-hole championship begins on Friday.

Former NHL stars Dan Quinn and Grant Fuhr were among the early arrivals to play a practice round on Monday. Quinn is pleased that Gretzky is returning to the event.

"I think it's great that Wayne's here," said the four-time ACC champion. "It's important that Wayne's back, and he's comfortable to come here."

It will be Gretzky's second appearance in the 19-year-old tournament. His only other involvement was in 1999 when he finished 48th. Gretzky fired rounds of 86, 89 and 88.

"A lot of guys when they come, find it too competitive, or they don't want to embarrass themselves. I'm not saying Wayne's worried about that. He'll do fine," Quinn said. "I don't think 'Gretz' played a whole lot of golf until he got into hockey, but he's into it now. Their family has gotten into golf. "

Gretzky, who has five children, now wears three hats for the Phoenix Coyotes as part owner, head of hockey operations and head coach.

During his NHL career, Gretzky broke more records than any player before him. He retired in 1999 as the NHL's all-time leading scorer with 1,016 goals (counting playoffs) and 1,223 assists. Another one of his remarkable records is the 100 goals he scored in the 1983-84 season, counting the playoffs.

He also led the NHL in scoring 10 times, was selected as league MVP on nine occasions and led the Edmonton Oilers to four Stanley Cup titles.

Jones, an actress and dancer, has played roles in a number of popular movies, including "Annie," "Staying Alive," "The Flamingo Kid," "Police Academy" and "A League of Their Own."

"She'll play well," Quinn said. "She's very competitive, and she'll probably be grinding more than Wayne.

"I played with her in a scramble, and we used more of her tee balls than mine."

Dilfer out

Former 49ers' quarterback Trent Dilfer has withdrawn from the tournament.

Dilfer reportedly suffered an Achilles tendon injury recently and told Quinn that he wouldn't be permitted to play golf for at least four months.

Dilfer has appeared in 11 of the past 12 ACCs and has finished as high as second in 2005. He came in sixth last year.