‘I Actually Cried’: Jordan Spieth’s Treatment of Caddie After Excruciating Defeat Speaks Volumes

Before Rory McIlroy’s missed putt at the 2024 US Open became a huge upset in the golf world, another golfer had experienced something similar in his career. It was Jordan Spieth at the 2015 Open Championship at the Old Course, St. Andrews. That year, the 3-time major winner was only a few inches close to winning three back-to-back majors, as he had already won the Masters and the US Open. However, fate was not in Spieth’s favor as at the 17th hole, he missed a putt to make a bogey.

Then he had a chance to make a birdie on the final hole at St. Andrews. From the edge of the Valley of Sin, Spieth took his chance, and the ball turned left making the 13-time PGA Tour winner miss the playoff by one stroke. He would’ve become the only player to join Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods to win three majors in one calendar year since 1900. It has been nearly a decade since that incident and Spieth won the Claret Jug in 2017.

But for his caddie, Michael Greller he still regards it as his biggest mistake that he would always remember. On Golf.com’s The Scoop interview, Greller narrated the entire scene from 2015 when Claire Roger asked him about his biggest mistake. He expressed that it was the “hardest loss” for him. Greller added that when you play for a great golfer, there would be great wins but also tough losses, and the St. Andrews one was tough. Talking about what would he change on the 18th hole, Greller explained that he would’ve given Spieth a different club instead of the gap wedge.

And maybe that would’ve allowed him to chip in the cup. But it’s the past, however, Greller did reveal that he was devasted after the loss. But he also shared how sensible Spieth’s reaction was, because there was no reaction by the 13-time PGA Tour pro. The caddie said, “I actually cried after that one. I was so upset, and not just that decision and he never said anything. He wasn’t like you know, why didn’t we hit this one more club.”

It stung harder because later at the PGA Championship, Spieth finished runner-up at Whitling Straits and it showed he was at the cusp of making history. He probably could have won all majors, but it just didn’t happen because of one or other reason.

But still, Spieth was calm, he didn’t blame his caddie, and he didn’t throw a fit or burst out from the course. That’s what makes him different from other pros. This leads to Greller talking about one particular quality of the 3-time major, which makes it easy to caddie for him.

Jordan Spieth’s caddie talks about his communicative quality
It won’t work out on the course if a caddie and golfer are not at least good friends. It has been seen that the two need to work in a partnership and communicate to avoid any misunderstanding and for the score to turn out better. And this thing may get complicated if a golfer is not as responsive, but that’s not the case with Michael Greller. It is actually quite the opposite.

In his latest interview, Greller elaborated how he was lucky to be caddying for someone like Spieth because “Jordan wears his emotions on his sleeves,” said the bag man. He further explained how a caddie would always want to know what the golfer is thinking and Spieth does a great job at communicating what he feels, regardless of the hot topic.

Interestingly, Greller also revealed that his employer believes he can hit every shot, even if it means hitting from the edge of a clip. But as he always discusses it with him, it is easier to stop him from actual danger. Yet, Greller proudly added, “You’d rather caddy for a guy that is fearless than who’s scared.” And that’s how the two have been together since 2011, although he almost didn’t caddie for Spieth, and are on the lookout for their fourth major win together!