Ah yes, leave it to Michael Jordan—the man who literally built a golf course, The Grove XXIII, tailored to his own game because one with rules just wouldn’t do—to be the voice of reason in the Tiger Woods vs. Jack Nicklaus debate. According to The SportsBible.com, His Airness, speaking with Cigar Aficionado (because of course), simply can’t bring himself to declare Tiger Woods the greatest golfer of all time. Why? Well, apparently because comparing legends from different eras is unfair. Who knew?
Jordan, the six-time NBA champion and full-time golf obsessive, opened Grove XXIII—his own exclusive golf club nicknamed “Slaughterhouse 23”—after being banned from another course for a dress code violation. How very relatable. Now, with his personal golf haven in Hobe Sound, Florida, MJ regularly mixes high-stakes wagers with his swings, but when it comes to picking a golf GOAT? Oh no, that’s a bridge too far.
Sure, Tiger has 15 major championships and singlehandedly dragged golf into mainstream pop culture while shattering racial barriers and TV ratings. And yes, Nicklaus still holds the all-time record with 18 majors, a feat that has stood the test of decades. But Jordan isn’t impressed by numbers alone—especially not when the two players didn’t compete against each other, use the same equipment, or walk uphill both ways to the clubhouse.
Jordan, who once dunked over entire franchises without flinching, now insists that labeling any athlete the GOAT is merely a PR stunt. He offers up the ever-insightful perspective that he never played against Wilt Chamberlain or Jerry West, so how could anyone possibly compare them? (Please ignore that literally every sports fan and commentator does this every day.)
And while we’re all busy pointing out Tiger’s influence on the game, MJ graciously reminds us that yes, Tiger did, in fact, evolve golf into something people under 70 and not named “Tucker” might care about. He broke down racial barriers, brought a new audience to golf, and supercharged the game’s finances—but let’s not get carried away and call him the best. That might make things too clear.
Jordan also throws in a quick reminder that Bill Russell has more NBA titles than he does, which apparently makes Russell… not better, but also not worse? It’s all very philosophical. Or vague. Definitely one of those.
In the end, MJ sticks the landing on his masterclass in indecision: both Tiger and Jack are great. Goat debates are unfair. Labels are for cereal boxes. Let’s all go home.
So, next time someone asks you whether Tiger or Jack is the greatest golfer ever, just shrug, say “it’s an unfair comparison,” and light a cigar. Michael Jordan would approve.
