Alfonso Ribeiro drives from the 17th tee Friday afternoon during the American Century Championship.
STATELINE — Jack Wagner is enjoying a re-birth to his acting career.
Wagner, who made a name for himself on soap operas General Hospital, Santa Barbara and the Bold and the Beautiful, and Melrose Place, can now be seen regularly on the Hallmark Channel.
“We’re going into season five of a series called ‘When Calls the Heart,’” Wagner said earlier this week. “Lori Loughlin (former Full House star) and I star.
“It’s a period piece about a pioneer town in 1915, and it’s garnered some incredible ratings for The Hallmark Channel as well as a big fan following. We live tweet with the fans during the episode.”
The veteran actor said he’s also shooting a Christmas movie for Hallmark this year in addition to the 10-episode series.
“I couldn’t be more happier and more grateful,” he said.
WOMEN STAND OUT: It was a good day for three of the four women in the field.
Golf Channel personalities Lisa Cornwell and Blair O’Neal each shot a 3-over-par 75 and finished with 18 points. Paige Spiranac was just two points behind after shooting a 4-over-par 76.
It was a big step up for Cornwell, who has scored 7, 0 and 18 points in her last three events (2014-16). Cornwell managed four birdies and had just one double-bogey on No. 10, her first hole of the day.
O’Neal, who started on No. 10, birdied three of her first five holes and had four birdies total on her front nine (10-18).
Spiranac, the former San Diego State star, shot a 4-over-par 76. She had two birdies and six bogeys on her round.
Kathryn Tappen of NBC Sports struggled to a negative-16.
PAST CHAMPIONS: It wasn’t a great day for two of the three past champs in the field.
Mark Rypien, who won in 1990 and 2014, carded just one birdie in totaling 14 points.
Jack Wagner, who finished third last year, bogeyed his first three holes en route to a 13.
Mark Mulder tied for fourth at 22 points.
THE HOLE REPORT: The easiest hole in Friday’s first round was the par-5 501-yard 18th which played to a 5.33. The next-easiest was the par-5 4th which played to a 5.47.
The toughest hole was the par-4 6th which played to a 4.88. The par-4 first hole played to a 4.87.
JACOBSEN THE ROOKIE: Peter Jacobsen, who’s working in the 18th tower this week, is working the tournament for the first time.
“I’ve heard a lot from my colleagues at NBC Golf Channel about how exciting this event is,” he said. “And it’s so much fun for me to come back and do this. My whole career has been about reaching outside the ropes, engaging the fans.
“I’ve been involved in creating some celebrity events over the years. So I know a lot of these athletes and entertainers, and I admire them so much because they come away from their job. They come out here and they give back.”
FEATURED GROUPS: Two groups to keep an eye on is the Justin Timberlake, Steph Curry and Tony Romo threesome at 9:50 a.m., and the Aaron Rodgers, Joe Pavelski and Derek Lowe group at 10:10.
Both groups will tee off at No. 1.
