“Don’t Ever Beat Me at Golf Again”: Inside Michael Jordan’s Golf ‘Rivalry’ With Chuck Daly During the Dream Team Era
Credits: IMAGO
Credits: IMAGO
The competitive aspect of Michael Jordan’s game has been well documented beyond the NBA court. He brought a similar vigor to the golf course, turning casual games into high-stakes contests.
That competitive aspect set the stage for an unexpected rivalry between Jordan and Chuck Daly during the 1992 Olympics. Well, Jordan joined the ‘Dream Team,’ and during one such game alongside Charles Barkley, David Robinson, and Daly, the head coach and Jordan had a slight disagreement.
They had already played 18 holes, but Michael Jordan wasn’t done. The team had a game against Puerto Rico scheduled later that day, but Jordan continued for 18 more holes. Barkley was simply amazed at how Jordan played 36 holes and still guarded a point guard in the Olympics.
And when it came to golf, Jordan didn’t like losing. That became crystal clear when Daly defeated Jordan in Barcelona by a 70. Later, when the Nets under Daly’s guidance clashed with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan passed by Daly and uttered something.
The Pistons coach told CBS Sports, “He walks by the bench and says, ‘don’t ever beat me at golf again.’”
Bildnummer: 08171839 Datum: 13.07.2011 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI 13 July 2011: Basketball Hall of Fame Player Michael Jordan during the practice round of the American Century Championship at the Edgewood Country Club in Lake Tahoe, NV. GOLF: JUL 13 American Century Championship - Practice Round PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon269110713027; Golf Hobby Hobbygolf privat xmk x0x 2011 quer Image number 08171839 date 13 07 2011 Copyright imago Icon Smi 13 July 2011 Basketball Hall of Fame Player Michael Jordan during The Practice Round of The American Century Championship AT The Country Club in Lake Tahoe appt Golf Jul 13 American Century Championship Practice Round PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Golf Hobby Amateur golf Private xmk x0x 2011 horizontal
Bildnummer: 08171839 Datum: 13.07.2011 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI 13 July 2011: Basketball Hall of Fame Player Michael Jordan during the practice round of the American Century Championship at the Edgewood Country Club in Lake Tahoe, NV. GOLF: JUL 13 American Century Championship - Practice Round PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon269110713027; Golf Hobby Hobbygolf privat xmk x0x 2011 quer Image number 08171839 date 13 07 2011 Copyright imago Icon Smi 13 July 2011 Basketball Hall of Fame Player Michael Jordan during The Practice Round of The American Century Championship AT The Country Club in Lake Tahoe appt Golf Jul 13 American Century Championship Practice Round PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Golf Hobby Amateur golf Private xmk x0x 2011 horizontal
Talking about the defeat, Michael Jordan said, “I had some reservations about Chuck. We played against him. Going into the Olympics, I got a better impression of him. The more I got of him, the more I wanted to hang out with him. When he beat me at golf … it was just like the Pistons beating the Bulls. That just ate at me, because I didn’t think he was capable of beating me.”
Michael Jordan Once Disliked Golf
Back in 1999, the Bull sat down with Larry King for a brief exchange. Therein, King asked Jordan if he could have been a professional golfer. Jordan replied, "I always thought golf was a sissy sport in some respects.”
But that was a very young age. Once he started hitting the course and playing 36 holes a day, the picture became clearer to him.
“I think now, knowing the game, and knowing how challenging it is each and every time you step on the course,” Jordan confessed. “I would have loved to have that opportunity to challenge myself as often as the game challenges me now.”
What began as a casual round revealed the same edge that defined Jordan’s greatness. And even a casual defeat held enormous meaning for him.
Written by
Krushna Pattnaik
Edited by
Joyita Das