Having led the league in scoring in 10 of the 15 seasons he played and being capable of averaging 20 points per game at the age of 40 showed how great Michael Jordan was. Still, as he is also human, Father Time caught up with him, and he retired permanently in 2003. However, His Airness' competitive drive was far from over.
As a result, MJ sought out new challenges to maintain his competitive edge. Be it becoming the owner of the Charlotte Hornets and a NASCAR team, the six-time Finals MVP was determined to feel the thrill of winning again. For the six-time All-Star, it wasn't just about victories on the court or track - but golf also served as an outlet to keep his 'competitive juices working.'
Jordan on how golf kept him 'sane'
There's no surprise in stating that Jordan was always an avid golf enthusiast, even during his playing days, as he often raised the stakes by betting money with his peers. However, after retirement, he elevated his passion for golf to the next level. So much so that in 2019, he established his own golf course - The Grove XXIII, located in Florida, wherein he regularly invites PGA Tour golfers to give him tough competition.
In a sit-down interview with Stephen Curry, the six-time NBA Champion emphasized that golf is more difficult than any other sport because it continuously requires one to outdo one's own performance. More importantly, for someone who thrives on competitive fire, MJ had golf to keep that spirit alive.
"For a competitive person like me, this is what keeps me sane because when I walk away from the game of basketball, that was enough to keep my competitive juices working," Jordan told Curry. "Now, when I don't have that game, this game - and it even drives me crazy then - I go fishing in between my golf because I got to show patience in fishing that's going to be related to golf."
Interestingly, Jordan's passion for the sport intensified to the point where the five-time MVP expressed regret for not playing golf at a younger age , previously dismissing it as a 'lazy' sport.
Related: Michael Jordan on why guys shouldn't be able to jump from high school to NBA: "Something is affected by leaving college early"
MJ is always open to challenge golf greats
Even though His Airness is now in his 60s and might not be able to beat NBA athletes on the hardwood anymore, he still gets that thrill of victory by challenging the best golfers in the world.
Over the years, Mike has played against stars like Rickie Fowler, Brooks Koepka, and Justin Thomas at The Grove XXIII, and stories suggest he has held his ground. So, while the 14-time All-Star might not stoke his competitive fire on the basketball court anymore, Jordan still manages to do so on the golf course, striving to outperform the more proven opponents every time, sometimes by even placing high-stake bets.
Related: "I stay away from him when I'm walking" - Michael Jordan named the only athlete he ever feared
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