Basketball legend Jordan keeps it simple: just ‘go win’
Michael Jordan, the basketball great, delivered a rousing pep talk to the United States team, ordering them to block out the partisan crowd at a raucous Le Golf National.
The former Chicago Bulls player told the visitors they could handle the pressure of trying to end their 25-year hoodoo on European soil.
Rickie Fowler, who today partners Dustin Johnson in the second fourballs match against Rory Mcilroy and Thorbjorn Olesen, revealed how he had become friends with Jordan. At home in South Florida, the pair play golf together.
Jordan, who was already in the French capital for a commercial commitment with Paris St-germain, is understood to have visited the team during their trip to the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday.
“He’s special,” said Fowler, 29, of one of the finest athletes in US history. “I’m definitely privileged to get the amount of time that I do with him.
“Hearing his experiences and things he’s been through, like how you deal with things; I just love being around him. We have a lot of matches … it’s cool to see him give it that little extra focus, kind of get in the zone for a second.”
Jordan, who has attended at least two other Ryder Cups, told the US team he ignored the crowd during his career on the basketball court.
“[Jordan] talked about how he didn’t hear the crowd. I took that as, he couldn’t wait to shut them up,” said Brooks Koepka. “You might hear a few boos, whatever it is, but the quieter they are, you’re kind of laughing inside; you’ve done what you wanted to do.”
Jordan, who will be watching play today, is said to have shared a story about the 1993 NBA finals. That year, the Bulls went 3-0 up in the best-of-seven series against the Phoenix Suns, taking the first two games on the road.
“They lost the next two and had to go to Phoenix,” said Fowler. “He said he packed one suit and one bag and told the guys, ‘We’re going there for one job; it’s to go win’. And that was something cool to hear.”
In 2016, Fowler was the “Wagless Wonder” in a memorable image of the US team celebrating with a synchronised kiss with their other halves. Fowler, who is now engaged to American athlete Allison Stokke, said he was glad there would not be a repeat scene this year.
“We’re having a blast,” said the 29-year-old who has travelled to Paris with his fiancée at his side.
“It would be nice if we can be successful this week and relive that picture and I’ll actually have someone to kiss. We can make fun of Bryson [Dechambeau] on this one or something.”
Dechambeau is the only player on the American team without a significant other this week.