Only a few lucky people get the chance to meet their heroes. Taylor Montgomery, for one, has had luck riding on his side quite a few times. A basketball connoisseur, Montgomery recently turned the pages of his memory to his first meet-cute with NBA superstar, Michael Jordan, terming it as “the coolest thing ever.”
“MJ don’t sugarcoat it,” remembered the starstruck Las Vegas-born PGA Tour pro of his first interaction with Michael Jordan when he was just a kid. Remembering probably one of his fondest childhood memories, the 29-year-old said, “The best story I had with him was when I first met him, I was so nervous. I was such a young kid and basketball was my favorite sport.” The experience was a strange mix of haunting and hilarious as MJ’s first words to a young Montgomery were an unexpected remark on his AND his basketball shoes. A prototype that the OWGR World No. 107 remembered was cheaper and more affordable than Jordan’s $200-something shoes.
Noticing that he wasn’t adorning any Jordans, the NBA Hall of Famer and golf enthusiast said, “Kid, what the F are those?” leaving the hilarious memory etched in the pro golfer’s conscience. “I’ll never forget it. That is awesome. MJ don’t sugarcoat it. No, that’s what he does,” attested the basketball lover who later transitioned to the game of golf.
Years ahead of his first memory, at the age of 29, Montgomery still does not wear Jordans. A fact that MJ would likely still disapprove. However, his footwear game has definitely gotten stronger over the years. The PGA Tour star now adorns the ultra-comfortable, modern golf footwear from TRUE linkswear, following his newly signed deal with the brand.
Announcing his collaboration, the UNLV graduate said, “Having gear that combines top-notch performance with style, comfort, and innovation is crucial. TRUE linkswear definitely embodies all of this, and I appreciate their dedication to both performance and environmental sustainability. I’m proud to be aligned with this awesome brand and its values.”
But growing up in Sin City, the epicenter of it all, does Montgomery also have another favorite anecdote with Michael Jordan?
Rolling back to the time when a young Taylor Montgomery trash-talked Michael Jordan
Thanks to his father, Monte’s role as the GM at Shadow Creek Golf Course, in his formative years, Taylor Montgomery has had the opportunity to interact with the likes of Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and even Fred Couples. In fact, while caddying for one of the big athletes, he has also trash-talked Jordan, who was losing to his employer at the time.
Remembering probably an unthinkable story for most of us, the PGA Tour pro said, “I used to caddie for the guy that (Jordan) was playing against and I was always trash-talking to him. This was at the age I grew like a foot in a year. He is like, hey, Bobby, who the hell is that kid? He’s like, ‘Oh, you dumb ass, that’s Monte’s kid.’”
“I was just yapping the whole time,” admitted a now-grown-up Montgomery whose trash-talking only infused MJ to do better and he ran his magic in the back nine to win over an over-enthusiastic Taylor Montgomery’s otherwise leading employer.
Since then, the duo has had a couple of interactions, all fond ones, as Montgomery remembers. Surely, his younger version would be in awe of all that he strives to achieve as a professional athlete himself.