Michael Jordan Has Played Golf With Tiger Woods But Never Basketball: ‘He’s Scared, I’ll Knock His Brains Out’

In the late ’90s, Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods were two of the most well-known people in the world. Jordan was the top player in the NBA, while Woods was establishing himself as a superstar golfer. 

Jordan and Woods developed a friendship since they were both athletes and global icons. Jordan actually played golf with Woods several times.

However, Woods never played basketball with Jordan since he was apparently terrified.

After winning his fifth NBA title in 1997 against the Utah Jazz, Jordan was asked by SLAM Magazine if he had ever played basketball with Woods. Jordan conceded Woods had talent, but MJ revealed Woods was too scared to play him in a real game.

“He’s scared. I’ll knock his brains out. I’m in a contact sport,” Jordan said. “He can’t hit me on the golf course. Basketball, I’d knock him out. But I could see his talents. That goes without question. He’s a good kid. He doesn’t intimidate me on the golf course.”

Not only were Jordan and Woods the top players in their respective sports in the late ’90s, but they were also in the limelight constantly and faced absurd expectations. Although Jordan could relate to Woods, MJ told SLAM he felt a little sorry for Woods.

Jordan felt bad for Woods since he knew what Woods would have to deal with moving forward concerning expectations, responsibilities and social/media pressure.

“He doesn’t know what he’s got to deal with,” Jordan said. “It’s unbelievable. And in terms of the hype and the expectations that I created, in terms of sports in America and the sports arena, his is gonna be 10 times harder than mine.

“In an individual sport, he doesn’t have support systems to help him overcome a bad day. If I have a bad game, we still can win. He has a bad game; he’s gonna be crucified on TV. It’s totally unfair. He’s in a game where he represents minorities in all respects. He’s certainly feeling — he carries those types of social pressures.”

Unfortunately for Woods, he didn’t handle being in the spotlight as gracefully as Jordan did. Although he’s undoubtedly one of the best — if not the best — golfers ever, Woods experienced an infidelity scandal in 2009 and was arrested in 2017 for driving under the influence.

Jordan is universally recognized as the greatest basketball player ever. He won five MVPs, 10 scoring titles, six championships and six Finals MVPs with the Chicago Bulls.

MJ also won one Defensive Player of the Year Award. 

Jordan has career averages of 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 0.8 blocks with the Bulls and Washington Wizards. He’s first in NBA history in points per game, fourth in steals, fifth in field goals and second in player efficiency rating.

MJ holds the NBA record for most points (63) scored in a playoff game.