To the best of my knowledge, Jordan Spieth’s caddie Michael Greller politely declined to speak with the media on Sunday following their disappointing loss at the Masters. Well, two days removed from the heartbreaking finish, Greller opened up on Facebook and shared some fantastic insight on the journey that he’s been on with the two-time major champion from when he first met him through Justin Thomas (aka, “Spieth’s good friend”) in 2011.
I asked Michael if I could share what he wrote with you guys, as I think it provides perspective and reaffirms the strong character that Spieth appears to demonstrate on and off the golf course, and he graciously gave me the go-ahead. We could all learn something from both Spieth and Greller.
Here you go. Enjoy.
A Friday afternoon at the 2011 U.S. Amateur at Erin Hills served as foreshadowing for a scene I’ve witnessed unfold a handful of times now. I remember it vividly and learned so much about myself and then 17-year-old, Jordan Spieth. We had just met a few weeks earlier at the U.S. Jr. Amateur, where he won the title for a second time. Our paths crossed again at Erin Hills, at the most important amateur golf tourney of the year. I was fortunate enough to caddie for Justin Thomas in three of these, including Erin Hills. Justin played incredible in the stroke play qualifying and made it into the second round, no small feat. It was there that an Englishman named Jack Senior beat Justin and thus also ended my weeklong fairytale from teaching sixth grade. I was bitter, angry and every bit not a role model for how to lose.
Jordan, with his dad Shawn on the bag, had continued to advance at that U.S. Amateur and so I decided to stick around and follow them. Lo and behold, he advanced all the way to the quarterfinals where he met none other than Jack Senior. My emotions were running high and I wanted nothing more than for Jordan to pummel Jack. Jack built a huge lead at the turn and had Jordan on the ropes. I seethed and mumbled things under my breath, acting every bit like a sore loser. But Jordan battled back and eventually squared up the match heading into the par 5, 18th. Jordan was one hole and one more match from punching his ticket to The Masters. I grew sick to my stomach as Jordan made bogey on the last hole. Jack had two putts to advance to the semifinals and continue on in the biggest stage of amateur golf. Jack lagged the putt to about two and half feet.
What happened next and later that night shocked me. Jordan took off his hat and said, “That’s good”. He walked over to Jack, looked him square in the eyes and shook his hand like a gentlemen. Rather than run to the locker room and escape the scene, he stuck around and thanked his friends who had followed him. This kid who I had just met weeks earlier then invited me to join him and his dad for dinner. We laughed and shared stories late into the night from the U.S. Jr. Amateur as well as the U.S Amateur. He never once said a bad word about Jack. There was no panic, anger or sadness. Jordan didn’t want sympathy after that U.S. Amateur loss. His self-belief and character never wavered.
A couple weeks later Jordan defeated Jack in singles at the Walker Cup. Jack went on to describe Jordan saying, “He is just such a talent. He possesses so much talent and then just doesn’t fear anything. But he is just such a nice and down to earth guy. I know for a fact if I qualify for The Open and see him there then he will come over and speak to me. That’s the kind of person he is. When we won the Walker Cup he was one of the guys out celebrating with us, he is a class act.”
I’ve been fortunate enough to ride shotgun with Jordan for every step of his PGA Tour career. What a journey he has taken me, my wife, his family and friends on. Not even five years after that Erin Hills loss, he has won nine times around the world. Two majors. One Fed Ex Cup Title. Been #1 golfer on the planet. Two President’s Cup teams. One Ryder Cup team. A future Olympian. And the experiences off the course have been absolutely priceless.
Through it all, there have been tough losses and surely will be more. After the Grand Slam chase ended on the last hole at The Open, Jordan was there to congratulate his friend Zach Johnson and even flew home with him. The next month when Jason Day won his first major, Jordan was nothing but first class and respectful to Jason throughout that final round.
The 2016 Masters stung. Hats off to Danny Willett for an incredible final round, and more importantly, becoming a father. We have received an outpouring of support and thoughtful messages. But don’t feel sorry or sad for us. We won’t get stuck in this moment, nor should you. We will work harder, fight harder and be better for it. We will bounce back as we have done many times.
At the end of the day, golf is a sport. I am especially thankful to have an unconditionally loving wife Ellie Greller, family and friends who treat us the exact same regardless of wins and losses. This isn’t life and death stuff. There are far greater struggles that exist in this world than not winning The Masters. We are beyond blessed to do what we do. We are grateful to work alongside the greatest golfers and caddies in the world. It is a challenge we relish.
A wise coach reminded me recently, winning shows your character and losing shows ALL your character. Jordan continues to model grace and humility through wins and especially losses. The student continues to teach the teacher, and now millions others, just like he did at Erin Hills.
Jordan Spieth is the same genuine, grounded and humble person he was five years ago, in victory or defeat.
Thanks for sharing, Michael — you and Jordan are both class acts, in victory or defeat.
I love the team concept. But I have to agree with Patrick. Greller failed Spieth when Spieth needed him most. Jordan was not really having what could be called brilliant play last weekend. He did manage to grind it out ….let’s thank the putter! After bogeying 10 and 11 Spieth admits that he felt he could still win and disregarded his normal routine when he approached the 12th hole….. his words not mine. I would beg to differ with him there…. drop strokes in the final round at Augusta and not really be concerned!!! Major error in judgment. That being said…I love the kid and what he brings to the game. He is classy… young… and still has a lot to learn. Will enjoy watching him win at the US Open!
To say Greller failed him is to blame the basketball coach for a missed free throw at the end of a game to win. Did you not listen to the conversation between him and Jordan on the tee? Jordan is young and made a young mans error. All the greats have done it. Jordan made a planning error on the tenth tee that doomed him, just as it doomed Watson when he blew a PGA and Palmer when he blew a US Open. To blame Greller is ridiculous. I have played out there and can talk from experience. can you?
To say Greller failed Spieth is the most ridiculous comment I have ever heard. Did you not listen to the dialogue between them on the tee box at 12? Jordon asked if the selected club would be too long. Greller gave him a confident “no”. Meaning swing it, don’t take anything off it. It was simply a bad swing. Everyone has them. He will come back stronger and win it next year. That course is built for him. He owns it.
Why must you criticize anybody?
One thing I love about this pair is they constantly communicate. Michael told him exactly where that ball needed to go. However, how many times have we gotten over a shot or putt and changed our mind?! Whether it be a read on a putt or a shot shape, we are golfers. When you are in the zone, you just react. When you are jittery, it is much more difficult. These guys aren’t robots, they are humans. They love the game as much as we do and sometimes you make mistakes. Jordan is resilient! Birdieing 13 & 15 shows major guts. I would have rolled up into a ball in the corner! I hope he wins at Oakmont by about 8…..just like Rory!
Jordan and Michael you are both “First Class people” !! Your true fans are going to support you whether you win or lose ! I’m a senior and don’t play golf but I will always tune in and cheer you on. I know you will come back strong. Best of luck.
Thank you for putting together a complete report. Greller will help hold Spieth on course to become one of the greatest in the game. This weekend’s short circuit on the back nine was a failure but they will learn from it and come back again, much as Nicklaus came back so often.
My only thoughts are the look and demeanor of Jordon at the award ceremony. A forced half smile and he was not the first to extend his hand for a handshake. Go back and look at it.
Most of us have never endured, nor been there to personally experience something of this magnitude in sports. Jordan was obviously shocked and drained of emotion.
[…] the character and composure Jordan and him have before sticky situations like this one. (Read more here in Stephanie Wei’s […]
Wonderful story about amazing young man!
YOU are a class act who also models grace and dignity, Michael Greller. Team Spieth is in good hands. Bravo!
[…] Here is a small sample of that tribute, which you can read in full at WeiUnderPar.com […]
[…] a long, heartfelt Facebook post the next day, Greller talked about his earliest experiences meeting Spieth at the U.S. Amateur and how Spieth […]
[…] a long, heartfelt Facebook post the next day, Greller talked about his earliest experiences meeting Spieth at the U.S. Amateur and how Spieth […]
[…] In a long, heartfelt Facebook post the next day, Greller talked about his earliest experiences meeting Spieth at the US Amateur and how Spieth graciously handled a defeat that cost him a trip to the Masters. He noted how Spieth, upon seeing his Grand Slam bid end at the 2015 British Open, still hung around to congratulate winner Zach Johnson. And he of course talked about the crushing events of that Sunday, addressing the question everyone was now asking: how would he and Spieth recover? To Greller, there was never a doubt. […]
[…] In a long, heartfelt Facebook post the next day, Greller talked about his earliest experiences meeting Spieth at the U.S. Amateur and how Spieth graciously handled a defeat that cost him a trip to the Masters. He noted how Spieth, upon seeing his Grand Slam bid end at the 2015 British Open, still hung around to congratulate winner Zach Johnson. And he of course talked about the crushing events of that Sunday, addressing the question everyone was now asking: How would he and Spieth recover? To Greller, there was never a doubt. […]
I have been trying to reach Jordan for 4 years. I am 83 yrs old and went thru similar circumstances 60 yrs ago. I predicted he would have trouble going forward. I studied for 5 yrs to fix this problem when it happened to me and I know how to fix it. I want nothing but to help this fine young man.