Michael Jordan plays dad to Tiger Woods

Michael Jordan will give world number one Tiger Woods his own space this week at the Presidents Cup golf matches, but the 14-time major champion has been able to rely upon his pal Jordan when needed.

Michael Jordan will give world number one Tiger Woods his own space this week at the Presidents Cup golf matches, but the 14-time major champion has been able to rely upon his pal Jordan when needed.

Jordan will serve as a US team assistant when USA face the Internationals in the latest edition of the biennial team matches.

Two good! Golfer Tiger Woods (left) and ex-NBA ace Michael Jordan

"We're like big brother-little brother. I'm the big brother," Jordan said. "I don't crowd him. I keep my distance because at certain times a little brother's got to learn how to survive. But when I see him struggling, I text him and say, is everything OK? We get on the phone and talk through whatever issues he might have."

If there is anyone who can relate to what Woods is going through in pursuit of the record 18 major golf titles won by Jack Nicklaus, it is Jordan, who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles in eight years to become the game's first global superstar.

Jordan said that since the death of Earl Woods, Tiger's mentor and father, he has been able to be somewhat of a similar trusted sounding board for Woods. "When he calls me, I say, 'What would your father think? I don't want to take credit. You know what to do. You just need someone to tell you or reinforce what you're thinking.
That's what I am here for'," Jordan said.