Jordan Spieth has been known to ignore the advice of his caddie of more than a decade, Michael Greller, despite the looper often proving himself right
11:51 ET, 30 May 2025Updated 11:11 ET, 31 May 2025
Jordan Spieth doesn’t always see eye-to-eye with Michael Greller(Image: undefined via Getty Images)
Jordan Spieth has a unique dynamic with caddie Michael Greller, as evidenced during the opening round of the Memorial Tournament this week.
An errant drive at Muirfield Village’s par-five fifth led to potential trouble for Spieth on Thursday, as the ball ricocheted off a tree and ended up in thick rough. The accomplished golfer, who has worked with Greller since his pre-pro days in 2011, received cautious advice from his caddie to take a conservative approach and chip back onto the fairway – a suggestion the three-time major winner wasn’t keen to accept.
Reflecting on the round where he scored an even-par 72, Spieth said: “It’s really hard to get me to chip out. I chip out maybe less than anyone else that’s ever played the game of golf. It’s demoralizing enough that I’ll make a terrible decision not to.” It came as Tiger Woods’ children issued their verdict on his new relationship with Vanessa Trump.
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Spieth continued: “His [Greller’s] hands are tied on some of those. I didn’t think I was going to be able to reach the fairway, and I talked him into…I could still make par either way. The reality was eight of 10 (times), I’m not going to cover. I should punch it out.”
Defying his caddie’s counsel, Spieth hammered the ball into the first cut leading it to roll onto the fairway, providing him a 128-yard approach. He then placed his third shot 25 feet from the hole, and drained a birdie with his fourth – proving that sometimes, a golfer’s gut feeling can carry the day, reports the Mirror US. It isn’t the first time Spieth has challenged Greller’s guidance either…
A humbling at the Scottish Open
With 111 yards remaining on the sixth hole of the Renaissance Club’s Scottish Open last year, Spieth grappled with the choice of a high-flying wedge as the wind howled. He was audibly unsure of which club to take given the circumstances, asking his caddie: “Is this even getting within 10 yards of the green?” as well as: “You think it does?”
Greller and Spieth haven’t always seen things the same(Image: Getty Images)
Greller stood firm, instilling confidence in his pro by suggesting a shortfall would still be acceptable. Spieth skeptically executed the shot, only to doubt its trajectory mid-flight. He was heard saying: “I mean, it’s just not even remotely close to going 90 yards.”
Yet, the ball defied his doubts, landing tantalizingly close – just five feet away from the hole. An amazed Spieth was then picked up, saying: “Oh my God, it did,” before turning to Greller and asking: “Didn’t it look like it was going 40 yards short?” Knowing his suggestion was spot-on, Greller moved on silently, leaving the golfer flustered yet full of respect for his looper.
A tough pep talk at the Masters
During an especially trying moment on the Masters’ second day, Greller made no time for negativity on Spieth’s part. After the pro’s hit grazed a tree on Augusta National’s 18th and stopped just shy of the fairway, over 210 yards from the green, the golfer felt his chances for par evaporating, hindered further by looming branches.
Lagging behind leader Justin Rose by a hefty 10 strokes at the time, Spieth told Greller: “At this point, four is out the window. It’s not happening. I’m so frustrated.”
Greller gave Spieth a talking to at the Masters(Image: Getty Images)
Greller quickly intervened to shift Spieth’s mindset, snapping back with: “All right, well, get over it. You gotta get over it,” which was countered by Spieth’s blunt: “That’s a full f—ing shot,” accompanied by a heavy sigh. This exchange underscores Greller’s readiness to steer the PGA Tour star’s mental approach, in addition to advising on clubs and distances.
Greller appreciates Spieth’s candor
While such emotional displays might unnerve other caddies, Greller, who’s been teamed up with Spieth for 14 years, actually values the golfer’s expressiveness. In conversation with The Scoop last year, Greller highlighted the importance of tuning into a player’s thoughts.
He said: “For me, I am very lucky as Jordan wears his emotions on his sleeve, which is great for all of you [fans], but it’s also great for me. I think most caddies would say… you want to know what your guy is thinking.
Greller has reportedly racked up incredible earnings thanks to his work as a caddie(Image: Getty Images)
“Jordan does a great job of communicating what he is thinking, no matter what it is, so it gives me a good gauge of when to back off. As a caddie you are always trying to protect from danger and my guy, he thinks he can pull off every golf shot in the world.
“It’s a blessing usually and once in a while it doesn’t work out, but you live for it. You would rather caddie for a guy who is fearless than scared.”
Three majors with Spieth
Having been with Spieth since his amateur days, Greller has played a role in each of the PGA Tour star’s triumphs on the greens and fairways of the Tour. With 13 wins on the PGA Tour and three major titles to his name – the Masters and U.S. Open in 2015, and the 2017 Open Championship – it’s hardly surprising that Spieth has amassed a considerable fortune from his career.
According to the PGA Tour’s official website, Spieth has amassed career earnings of $64,930,391 from the Tour alone, and a portion of that has been enjoyed by Greller as his caddie, given the percentage of tournament winnings that caddies usually receive from players. As per Southampton Golf Club in 2023, Greller had accumulated a substantial estimated net worth of $10 million for his work alongside Spieth, as well as lucrative endorsement opportunities over the years.
