Phelps finally meets his idol, the 'other' Michael

"I froze. That's the one person in the world who could do that to me," Phelps said afterward. "I literally have always looked up to him."

Phelps may have grown up in Baltimore, but he was a Jordan fan.

"He's the greatest," Phelps said, simply.

Phelps has been exchanging text messages with Jordan for a few months now, and said he thought he'd meet the Chicago Bulls star at some point during this week's Ryder Cup.

U.S. captain Davis Love III has made Jordan an honorary member of the American team, and Phelps will participate in several events at Medinah Country Club. Phelps has taken up golf since retiring following the London Olympics, and has signed on to be Hank Haney's latest pupil in "The Haney Project."

But when Jordan walked on stage, Phelps was still stunned. Jordan slapped his hand, then drew Phelps in for a big hug. The two were guests on the special Ryder Cup-themed edition of "Feherty Live." It will air on the Golf Channel on Wednesday, two days before the Ryder Cup begins at Medinah.

"It was very special that he was able to come by, stop by and say hello," Phelps said. "I'm still, like, out of it. That was awesome."