MEDINAH, Illinois – The Ryder Cup began the weekend and Tiger Woods paid homage to basketball legend Michael Jordan.

This year’s host club for the Cup was some 30 miles west of the city Jordan ‘owned’ during his storied tenure with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan  served as an ‘adviser’ to this year’s team and Woods was happy to have him.

The world’s greatest golfer told reporters his first meeting with Jordan involved lots of drinks, despite having to play in a golf tournament the following day.

“I still shot some really good numbers that day and made an eagle on the last hole to win,” Woods told reporters.

Jordan is a member of the Medinah Country Club and was a constant fixture in the locker room, according to U.S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III. Woods said having one of the world’s greatest athletes around was “incredible” for this year’s team.

“I consider him like my big brother,” Woods said. “I may take that for granted, but some of the other guys that don’t really know Michael, I think it’s a real treat for them.”