Why Rickie Fowler said playing golf with Michael Jordan before tournaments is ‘beneficial’

Rickie Fowler calls Michael Jordan one of the most clutch players in golf

Rickie Fowler often plays matches against Michael Jordan at The Grove XXIII, the private Florida course Jordan owns.

In an interview with The Ringer, Fowler once explained how playing with Michael Jordan helps him get the right kind of preparation in before a big tournament.

“I’ll probably try and play with him here a couple times in the next week-and-a-half before I go out to the tournament. I think it’s very beneficial for me.

“You’re playing against MJ, one of the most clutch guys there is. He’s good, especially when you get him around the greens and putting. He’ll putt anyone straight up.”

That intensity, even in a casual setting, pushes Fowler to keep his mental game sharp — something he relies on, especially when trying to bounce back from a dip in form.

“For people, when it’s their first time playing with him, or first few times – it’s Michael Jordan,” Fowler said. “There’s a presence there.”

Michael Jordan’s competitive fire meets Rickie Fowler’s preparation

Rickie Fowler has always used friendly competition as part of his training, seeing it as a way to replicate the pressure of tournament play.

Playing with Michael Jordan — who takes every round of golf incredibly seriously — adds an extra layer of challenge.

Both share a similar approach to preparation, with Fowler saying that Jordan’s commitment to excellence carries over naturally to golf.

For Fowler, the experience provides a mental reset, helping him enter tournaments sharper and more composed. He called the games the ideal test for confidence and composure under pressure.