‘Nice to Know He’s Human’- When Phil Mickelson Beat Michael Jordan by 32 Strokes in a Golf Tournament

The Western Amateur is one of the most prestigious tournaments in amateur golf. And it has always attracted the best amateur players in the world. Jack Nicklaus won it in 1961, while Tiger Woods won it in 1994 and Phil Mickelson in 1991.

However, the list of players who haven’t lifted the trophy is also quite impressive: Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Michael Jordan, etc.

As surprising as it may seem, Michael Jordan is a Western alum. The Western Amateur has always extended exemptions to athletes from other sports. Just two months after he won his first NBA title.

The Chicago Bulls player Michael Jordan, to celebrate the occasion, was paired with the amateur and NCCA Champion Phil Mickelson in the Western Amateur.

Phil Mickelson had won a PGA Tour event as an amateur that year. “Phil asked for the pairing,” said the Tournament Director. He said he could handle the crowds better than anyone else.   

“It’s nice to know he’s human”- Phil Mickelson 

Michael Jordan was a 3-handicap, but his performance didn’t reflect it appropriately. He opened with a score of 13 over par 85 on day one. The NBA legend managed to hit only three fairways and seven greens.

And in Round two, he was equally bad as he shot 81 and missed the cut with a score of +24. He was 32 shots behind Mickelson, who led the field with a score of -8 after 36 holes. 

Jordan had taken a lesson from a pro, Fred Reeder, after round one. But he shot 29 on his back, nine in round two even though the opening nine had two water balls and a triple bogey. But still, he said, “The best experience I ever had in golf.

“I’m known as a confident athlete, but I found myself doubting myself,” Jordan said. “It took me a while to really get over my nervousness…

“I never really got over it. I can’t remember the last time I was this type of nervous. It had to be 1982, my first year in college.

“When I made a mistake, I got down on myself. But I’m not going to get discouraged. I’m not going to throw the clubs in the water and keep ongoing. I’m not at that point — yet. If my jump shot isn’t falling, I go to the layup. You can’t do that in golf.”

While Mickelson said, “It’s nice to know he’s human.”

Moreover, Jordan hoped to play another Western Amateur, but unfortunately, he could not. Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson went onto win the tournament that week, defeating Justin Leonard in the final.

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