Golf is a universally popular game and while the pros make it look easy, competitors from other sports love to chance their hand on the fairways.
We’ve all seen the likes of Steph Curry, Harry Kane and even the great Charles Barkley chance their arm at golf and like many an amateur, they’ve had mixed success.
Of course, anyone who knows golf and knows basketball will be aware that one of the biggest fans of the game is a certain Michael Jordan.
The six-time NBA Champion and Chicago Bulls legend is known for his love of golf, while he’s also never been shy of digging into his pocket to set the odd wager either.
And now, major champion and current PGA Tour star, Justin Thomas, has revealed just how much he’s had off of Jordan over the years.
How much Justin Thomas has won off Michael Jordan
While Jordan is well known for liking a little flutter when it comes to his golf. Indeed, anyone who watched The Last Dance on Netflix knows all about Jordan’s love of competing.
However, according to Thomas, the money on offer when playing against ‘MJ’ is not quite as much as some people like to think.
“I don’t think he plays for as much money as everybody thinks. He just has to play for something. It’s just the fact that ‘hey we are not out here just to play golf’,” Thomas said.
“We are out here to compete and win. I have taken a couple of thousand off of him a couple of times. But he has taken plenty off of me as well. He is hard to beat out at Grove, at his course. If I build a course too, I would probably build it [to favour me].
“His short game is unbelievable. His bunker game and chipping and putting is truly insane. A lot of athletes in general but especially basketball players, their touch and hands and how good they are to be able to manoeuvre and figure things out. The holes narrow up the further you hit it so you always have room to bail out. I think it’s good for any amateur golfer but it tends to pinch in a bit where we hit it.”
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The best NBA golfers
Anyone who follows both the NBA and golf will know that there is some serious talent from the basketball ranks.
Steph Curry is a +1.3 handicap, putting him not too far off being at the level of some PGA Tour players and certainly some on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Of course, Curry’s celebration has made its way into golf as well, such is his impact across both sports and the popularity he has.
Looking further into the NBA, current LA Lakers star Austin Reaves is very good, while former Cleveland Cavs star JR Smith is also known for his excellent golf game.
Further into history, legends like Penny Hardaway, Jerry West, Charles Barkley and Clyde Drexler have all played golf to a high enough standard to regularly feature in pro-ams and charity events.
As for Jordan, he plays off around the three handicap mark which means he’ll never be too far off competing with the PGA Tour stars if he pieces it together properly.
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