Caddie Network

Michael Greller, caddie for Jordan Spieth, leaves CJ Cup after death of mother

Jordan Spieth and caddie Michael Greller talk on the ninth tee during the second round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament at Colonial Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

It’s very unusual for a caddie to leave his player mid-tournament, but it happened on Saturday during the third round of the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek, when Michael Greller had to leave Jordan Spieth.

But these were extenuating circumstances. Greller’s mother, Jane, passed away Saturday morning.

Greller was replaced by Preston Valder, a high school and college teammate of Patrick Cantlay, on Spieth’s bag.

RELATED: Michael Greller says generous donation from fellow caddies, AT&T ‘on exact same level as any of Jordan’s three majors’

Spieth shot a 3-under 69 in Round 3 and was tied for 51st at 1 over for the week.

With Greller on the bag, Spieth has 14 professional wins, including three major championships.

After Greller’s father John passed away in February 2019, he set up the John and Jane Greller Scholarship fund. Greller’s fellow caddies in the Association of Professional Tour Caddies — along with AT&T — presented him with a check for $25,000 to put towards the fund in May 2019.

“I would put that moment tonight on the exact same level as any of Jordan’s three majors,” Greller told The Caddie Network of that donation. “It was on par with those three moments. I’m speechless. Last year, AT&T and the APTC made a donation to Greg Chalmers and his work with Autism. I remember listening to Greg and how moved he was. Moments like that one and tonight make what we do so meaningful. It’s more meaningful than the golf shots being hit.”

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