Golf
Dustin Johnson Could Have an Advantage at The Masters Thanks to Michael Jordan and His Legendary Trash Talk
Joe Kozlowski began his career as a sports journalist in 2013 and joined Sportscasting in 2019. He covers the NBA and soccer for Sportscasting, with specialties in legacy NBA players such as Michael Jordan and Premier League club Arsenal. Off the clock, he's a Kansas City Chiefs fan and a hockey goalie. Growing up loving Shaquille O'Neal and reading everything he could about the great big men throughout NBA history — likely because he was still tall enough, at least relative to his peers, to play center — he's continued to love learning about and exploring the historical and story-based sides of the basketball archives. As for Arsenal, Joe spent a year living in London and latched onto the local support of the club. He's barely missed a match since, loving Arsene Wenger, enduring the Banter Era, and following along through rebuilds. The Premier League interest developed into a passionate following of the Champions League, Europe's big five league, and international soccer as a whole when played at the highest level. Regardless of the sport, Joe is captivated by the stories of athletes beyond the box scores and how they push the envelope — both in terms of what we think a human is capable of accomplishing and how they find new competitive tactics to win.
Get to know Joe Kozlowski betterPublished08 Apr 2021
When you think of golf, a respectful game bound by rules and a general sense of decorum probably springs to the front of your mind. Nailing a birdie, for example, won’t prompt a massive celebration or inspire a golfer to show up their opponent. Entering the 2021 Masters, however, Dustin Johnson may have an advantage thanks to Michael Jordan and his legendary trash talk.
While Dustin Johnson is already a talented golfer, he’ll be heading to Augusta National with an extra edge. According to his trainer, playing against His Airness has inspired the South Carolina-native to take his game even further.
Dustin Johnson is one of the top dogs on the PGA Tour
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Ever since Tiger Woods began his decline, the PGA Tour has been hoping for a new superstar to pick up his mantle. While Dustin Johnson hasn’t quite reached that level of dominance, he’s certainly a talented golfer who can make things happen every time he steps on the course.
Early in his career, Johnson showed great potential but also struggled to deal with both the pressure of fame and fully devote himself to golf. Wayne Gretzky, however, stepped in to provide the golfer with some wisdom, and Johnson turned a corner.
Since the start of the 2016 campaign, Johnson has won 15 PGA Tour events, including two majors—the 2016 U.S. Open and the 2020 Masters—and the 2020 Tour Championship. He’s entering this year’s Masters as the top golfer in the Official World Golf Rankings and is enjoying one of the best stretches of his entire career.
Michael Jordan loves both golf and trash talk
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It goes without saying that Michael Jordan did his best work on the hardwood. His Airness, however, isn’t a one-trick pony; he’s also a capable golfer and a legendary trash-talker.
In regard to the latter talent, MJ needed to win and had no problem doing whatever it took to gain a competitive edge. That meant engaging in verbal warfare with anyone who would listen. No one was safe; everyone from fellow members of the Chicago Bulls to Bill Clinton could feel Jordan’s wrath.
As for golf, His Airness first hit the links in college and continued playing throughout his career. He took things to the next level in retirement, though; MJ once told RSNG that he golfs “pretty much every day” and will play 36 holes at a time.
The NBA legend even has his own exclusive course, where he can play a round without having to worry about inconveniences like slow golfers or formal dress codes.
Dustin Johnson could have an advantage at the 2021 Masters thanks to Michael Jordan
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Unsurprisingly, Michael Jordan has been known to trash-talk his opponents on the golf course. While that could be an annoyance during the round, it may actually give Dustin Johnson a leg-up heading into the Masters.
According to the BBC, Johnson has recently hit the course with Jordan; his trainer, Joey Diovisalvi, believes that will serve him well heading to Augusta.
“They love to trash talk and have their games, and I believe that actually gives Dustin more of a confident edge when it comes to tournament play,” Diovisalvi explained. “I think Dustin takes these little bits and pieces and then puts it in his head. He is confident to a degree where he doesn’t walk out arrogantly on a golf course but is always going to be someone who can tee it up and potentially put another ‘W’ in that column. I think he’ll play until he can’t do that anymore.”
Dustin Johnson is already a talented golfer. Having both Wayne Gretzky and Michael Jordan giving him a competitive edge, though, takes things to the next level.
