Michael Jordan, we have learned, is difficult to play golf against, and for a variety of reasons. For starters, he’s good, hovering around a low single-digit handicap. And his Grove XXIII in south Florida is set up to enhance his strengths. He’s also the ultimate competitor and intimidating to play against because, well, he’s Michael Jordan.
During this week’s Subpar podcast, which included guest Bob Sura, we learned another reason why Jordan’s so tough to beat on the golf course.
While the hosts and Sura were talking about playing golf with Jordan, Knost mentioned that during one of their matches at Shadow Creek, Jordan was struggling — perhaps due to a sore back — and uncharacteristically asked Knost for a buyout on their bet after 11 holes. And how did he respond?
“Of course,” Knost said. “Do you think I’m going to say no to MJ?”
Which brings us back to our point: it’s really hard to say “no” to the GOAT on the golf course.
“That’s the thing about golf gambling with MJ — nobody says no to Michael,” Sura said. “If a putt is this long” — Sura holds up his hands — “is it good? It’s good. He gets his way out there and he deserves it; he’s earned it.”
Sura, 52, is a former NBA player and now plays professional poker. He’s also an avid golfer. He’s faced off against Jordan on the court — which he talks about in the podcast — and also on the golf course. They play together at the Grove XXIII and put money on their matches, games in which Sura says you can win or lose up to 10 or 15 grand.
“It’s tough handing a guy worth [3-4 billion] dollars money at the end of the round, but his golf game is pretty good,” Sura says. “He’s still beating me up today.”
You can listen to the complete Subpar episode here, or watch it on YouTube below.
