Xander Schauffele had a memorable golf encounter with Michael Jordan before the U.S. Open tournament. The PGA Championship winner learned the hard way that trash-talking the NBA legend on the golf course is not a good idea. During a round of golf with Jordan, Schauffele described the experience as “embarrassing” after he decided to start talking smack to Jordan. However, instead of being discouraged, Jordan used the trash talk as motivation to elevate his game and ultimately beat Schauffele straight up on the course.
This incident serves as a reminder of the competitive spirit and skill of Michael Jordan, even on the golf course. Schauffele’s experience echoes that of Brooks Koepka, who also found himself on the receiving end of Jordan’s game prowess after trying to chirp the basketball icon during a golf game.
Looking ahead to the 2024 U.S. Open, Schauffele can rest easy knowing that Jordan will not be competing in the tournament. This will give him a chance to focus on his game and strive for a strong performance at the prestigious event. Schauffele is poised to be a top contender at the U.S. Open, as indicated by his ranking in CBS Sports’ list of favorites for the tournament.
When the U.S. Open kicks off with Round 1 on Thursday, Schauffele will be teeing off alongside Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler at 1:14 p.m. ET. Golf fans can look forward to seeing Schauffele showcase his skills and compete against the best in the sport as he aims for success at the U.S. Open.