Even with so many people, it wasn’t hard to distinguish between golf fans and sports fans. Jordan hit from the forward tees, and drew the largest bunch of people. The golf fans went all the way back at every tee to take pictures of Woods.

The two have made millions pitching Nike products (although Jordan had Ping clubs in his bag). They often talk about the similarities in their lives, whether it’s coping with celebrity or how to gain a competitive edge.

“We talk about our respective sports — which is harder, to win six championships or four Masters?” Jordan said. “I think it’s tougher for him. As an individual, you’re playing against so many different opponents. In my game, if I have a bad day, I’ve got someone to cover for me. For the most part, he does it by himself.”

Woods has leaned on Jordan for advice since winning his first Masters at age 21 in 1997 and says he can “cherry pick the knowledge he’s accumulated over the years.”

“We’re not the only ones,” he said. “But because we’re such great friends, I’ve been able to have a person I can talk to on all these subjects because he basically went through it before me. Next to Muhammad Ali, he’s probably the most iconic figure athleticwise that America has ever had.”

And where does Woods fit in?

“I’m somewhere down the list,” he said.

Those conversations are for the grill room at private clubs, when they don’t have an audience. This was mostly about golf, and the fans did not go home disappointed. It might be the biggest buzz all week at the Wachovia Championship.

So big, in fact, that also playing the pro-am Wednesday was Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning. Hardly anyone noticed.

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