Jordan Spieth was left with egg on his face (Image: Getty)
During last year’s Scottish Open, learned to trust his veteran caddie Michael Greller’s judgment after a tricky first round, which closed with a score of 71.
The three-time major champion won’t have to worry about what shots he should play at the Arnold Palmer Invitational this year though after he was brutally snubbed. Spieth admitted to feeling ‘bummed’ about being overlooked for the competition, especially after enjoying a strong start to the year.
At last year’s event, Spieth was caught in an awkward situation on the sixth hole. The former world No.1 doubted which club to choose for the short par three due to fierce winds. Facing a mere 111-yard shot, Spieth was hesitant about playing a high-flying wedge, echoing Xander Schauffele’s earlier comment: “A hundred ten yards and you’re trying to figure out how to hit a 140-yard shot but not too low or too high because then it will end up in the wrong place.”
Greller reassured Spieth, who, filled with uncertainty, asked “Is this even getting within 10 yards of the green?” and “You think it does?” Nevertheless, Greller confidently responded, “Yeah, I still like that,” despite Spieth’s continued doubts. He suggested that even if the shot fell short at 100 yards, it would be fine.
Spieth followed through with the shot, guided by Greller’s advice, but as soon as the ball took flight he instantly questioned the decision, leaving him to ponder if he should have challenged his caddie’s recommendation more firmly.
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Jordan Spieth will not be playing at the Arnold Palmer Invitational (Image: Getty)
Spieth was initially left utterly gobsmacked, muttering: “I mean, it’s just not even remotely close to going 90 yards,” as he watched his shot in the air. However, as soon as he finished voicing his doubts, the ball defied expectations and landed a mere five feet from the hole. “Oh my God, it did,” an astonished Spieth exclaimed.
He then turned to his caddie Greller and queried, “Didn’t it look like it was going 40 yards short?” Greller, knowing he had made a masterful call, simply walked away without a word, leaving Spieth with a mix of embarrassment and admiration.
Greller, who initially took a break from his high school math teaching job to work with Scottish Open first-round leader Justin Thomas in 2010, joined Spieth’s team upon request. Their partnership quickly bore fruit when they clinched victory at the John Deere Classic in 2013, marking Spieth as the first teenager to win on the PGA Tour since 1931.
Although Greller had only intended to take a year off teaching to caddy for Spieth, he ended up committing full-time to the role. Together, they have celebrated three Major titles, and this incident served as yet another reminder for Spieth of Greller’s invaluable experience and judgment.