Justin Thomas told the epic story of Michael Jordan on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Monday night.
CBS
Professional golfers rarely appear on late-night talk shows unless they just won a major or their name is Tiger Woods. But on Monday night, Justin Thomas bucked that trend with his special. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Viewers were able to enjoy an epic gambling story involving 15-year-old Thomas and NBA legend Michael Jordan.
This caddy tried to impress Michael Jordan.It did not work
jack hirsch
When Thomas was growing up in Kentucky, his father, Mike, was the head pro at Harmony Landing Country Club in Goshen, Kentucky. Whenever Jordan competed in the Kentucky Derby, he played in the club with fellow NBA pro Junior Bridgeman.
As the head pro, Mike was the main person setting up the round, and so was Justin. In the future, the two-time PGA Championship winner will serve as Jordan’s caddy for the annual match.
Things changed when Thomas was 15, and midway through the match, Jordan told JT he was going to partner with him on the final hole. When Thomas was in high school, he admitted to Colbert that he felt “a lot of pressure to play with Michael Jordan,” but his grades didn’t show it.
Thomas told Colbert, “I made four birdies in seven holes. And I was able to pay for my first car.”
How much money did Thomas make on that fateful day when he led Jordan to victory? “Three for grand,” Thomas revealed to Colbert, but Colbert didn’t tell him until after the game. I did not know. Thomas said that when the game started, Jordan said, “Don’t tell everyone what you’re playing for,” thinking that the big money would excite Thomas.
Thomas’ father, still wearing his head pro hat, heard the amount and told his son he should tip his troubles to the assistant pro. All Thomas had was the $100 bill he earned from the game, so he gave his assistant a crunchy Benjamin.
“My dad was like, ‘I can’t believe you just tipped him $100!’ That’s all I had,” Thomas joked to Colbert.
Fifteen years later, Thomas now has 15 tour wins, two majors and more than $56 million in official tour earnings. And as a fellow resident of Jupiter, Florida, he still plays with Jordan regularly, but whether he’s making or taking money from Jordan during friendly games is another question. .
