April 11--AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Three years ago, Michael Greller figured he had hit the jackpot.
He won the Masters ticket lottery, affording him the chance to stroll the grounds at Augusta National during the Tuesday practice rounds. Outside the ropes, of course.
"Had a few beers," Greller said. "Enjoyed the walk. I'm enjoying the walk now, too."
Now the former sixth-grade math and science teacher walks with Jordan Spieth, who strolled into Masters lore Friday with another remarkable performance. His 36-hole start is merely the greatest in tournament history.
Asked if he is surprised, Greller replied: "Certainly we didn't think we'd be 14 under. You don't play two rounds and win, though. It's a good start; it's where you want to be."
Greller, a Michigan native working in University Place, Wash., was at the 2011 U.S. Junior Amateur in Washington when he first looped for Spieth, then 17, who won it for the second time in three years. The stakes are greater now, but the mindset is the same.
Spieth came to Augusta ticked off that he tied for second at the Houston Open.
"It definitely made him hungrier this week," Greller said. "He doesn't play for second or top-10s. He plays to win."
He's halfway home to his first major after posting a sparkling 66 to back up his opening 64. Spieth didn't make a bogey Friday, but he did not pitch a perfect game.
He missed a 5-footer for birdie on the ninth and punished himself by smacking his left hand as he marched to the 10th tee. There he took three quick practice swings and launched a majestic draw that rolled out to 310 yards.
Among the most impressive things about Spieth is his patience. After hitting his approach to 18 feet, Spieth had to wait as playing partners Billy Horschel and Henrik Stenson required six short-game shots to hole out. Unfazed, Spieth sank his putt and pumped his fist.
One year ago, Spieth and his caddie were Masters rookies -- if you don't count Greller's casual foray. They were in contention Sunday until they got fooled on a chip on the par-5 eighth that came up 25 feet short, leading to a bogey.
"Maybe (a lack of) course knowledge finally caught up to us," Greller said that day.
They're still pups at a course with devious greens, but Greller compensates each morning by analyzing the pin sheet with local caddies.
"Where to miss, where not to miss," he said of approach shots. "That gives me a lot of comfort."
This should also help: Spieth never blames Greller for misreading putts. On 18, Spieth set himself up for a birdie try with an 8-iron that spun back to 7 feet. The two noticed that Stenson's putt broke right, so they figured his would do the same.
"We played it left edge," Greller said, "and it was dead straight."
The putt mattered because Spieth is chasing -- and making -- history. His 130 is the lowest two-round score in Masters history, besting Raymond Floyd's 65-66 start in 1976.
"Still hit a good putt," Spieth said. "I'm OK with misreads."
Working for Spieth has its privileges. He doesn't dwell on his errors -- and he's quick-witted. Asked during his post-round news conference about having to endure a wait on the 15th hole, Spieth said the only challenge was that he had to "use the restroom."
When a reporter said she had a follow-up question, Spieth responded, "Follow-up there?"
Everyone got a good chuckle.
Turns out Greller did hit the jackpot, just not when he figured.
tgreenstein@tribpub.com
