‘It’s Miserable’: When a 22-Year-Old Tiger Woods Was Publicly Advised by His ‘Big Brother’ Michael Jordan

Tiger Woods has many friends across sports. But not many are close to the golfer as much as the NBA legend Michael Jordan. Both legends have a great relationship and even sometimes share the golf course. We take a look back at 1998 when Jordan gave public advice to Woods, who was still very young for the spotlight.

Undoubtedly, Michael Jordan is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. However, he also happens to be an avid golfer himself and has a handicap of 1.2. He also owns a golf course in Florida. Considering his strong ties in the sport of golf, he shares a great bond with the sport’s biggest name, Tiger Woods.

Both Woods and Jordan have been paired in several pro-am tournaments. Nonetheless, decades before Tiger’s glorious triumphs, a veteran Jordan publicly shared his thoughts on the golfer, who had only a single Major to his name at the time. Let’s take a look at what the NBA legend said.

Michael Jordan is like Tiger Woods’ Big Brother

During the year 1998, Jordan completed his second three-peat with the Chicago Bulls and announced his retirement. Meanwhile, it only had been a year since the then-22-year-old Woods clinched the 1997 Masters with a record 12-stroke victory. Following the historic win, the fame and media attention quickly caught Tiger’s every move outside of the course. His basketball buddy shared insights about Woods’ mindset during the early phase of his career.

“We talk a couple of times a week on the phone. But not a whole lot about golf. I guess he looks at me as kind of a big brother, which is fine. He’s got a lot to deal with. He’s 22 years old, but people want to project him to be older”, said Michael Jordan. The NBA legend then shed light on how everybody expects Tiger to be perfect outside of golf because of his perfection on the course.

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Jordan said, “Just because he hits the ball nine miles and wins the Masters by 12 strokes, he’s supposed to have all the answers. He’s supposed to be perfect. That’s not fair, but he’ll be fine”. The 6-time NBA Champion then revealed how the young golfer has attracted a lot of spotlight at such a young age.

Jordan candidly advised Woods

Later, the NBA star advises Tiger using his own experience. Jordan said, “Believe me, I know. You can’t just go to the golf course and when you’re done, go back and lock yourself in your hotel room. I’ve been there; it’s miserable”.

He further added, “You can’t just stare at the TV. You lose your sense of society. You’re not living life. My God, he should be having fun doing what he’s doing. . . . The more he learns to relax with his job, the more he’ll enjoy it, and the better he’ll become”. Now, after winning 15 Majors, Tiger Woods is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers, if not the greatest.

Moreover, he still shares the same amount of respect and love for the NBA Hall of Famer two decades later. It’s great to see a legend like Michael Jordan looking after young talents like Woods. Maybe the friendship did play a huge role in Tiger’s professional success after all.

What are your thoughts on the Woods-Jordan friendship? Let us know in the comments section below.

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