Michael Jordan didn’t just win six NBA championships – he also helped buy golfer Justin Thomas’ first car.
Appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on American television, Thomas revealed how he made a life-changing bet with Jordan at the age of 15.
The NBA icon would often arrive at the Kentucky Derby, an annual race run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
While in town, Jordan, who is an avid golfer, would try out the golf course nearby where Thomas’ father, Mike, was the head professional.
Along with former NBA pro Junior Bridgeman, the two would set up a game at the course while Thomas served as a caddie.
In the third year of the tradition, Jordan invited Thomas, who he called Little Man, to join in and play.
Thomas ended up playing the last seven holes as his partner.
“He knew I played golf, but he didn’t know that I was decent and nobody else definitely had any idea,” the two-time major champion said.
“He goes, ‘I’ll take Little Man and whoever wants us.’ Everybody else is just looking at this kid who is 111lb.”
When asked if he felt any pressure, Thomas replied: “No, I just felt pressure playing with Michael Jordan. He was like, ‘Alright, I’ve got him’.
“I made four birdies in seven holes and helped pay for my first car.”
Colbert was left pondering the stakes, to which Thomas replied: “I didn’t know the amount. He said to everybody don’t tell him what we’re playing for because he might…”
“Freak out?” Colbert jumped in.
“Sure, something like that,” Thomas said. “I won 3-4 grand.
“The assistant at the time was helping get stuff together and everyone came in from 36 holes and my dad’s like giving me a hard time. ‘You need to tip him.’ I’m like, ‘Tip who?’ He said, ‘Matt, the assistant’.”
Because Thomas only had $100 [£79] bills given to him by Jordan, he ended up giving the assistant quite the tip.
“My dad was like, ‘I can believe you just tipped him $100.’ That’s all I had,” Thomas said.
Jordan is a huge golf fan and even has his own golf course in Florida, which is worth €20million (£15.8m), called The Grove XXIII – a nod to his iconic no. 23 jersey.
News Summary:
- Justin Thomas recalls how mammoth bet with NBA icon Michael Jordan helped buy his first car as a teenager
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