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FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – The truck will not unload itself.
So, every morning this week, Jack MIller went to his position as a frozen food manager for a local grocery store in Long Island. From 4 am, he makes unbundled deliveries, places orders and manages employees.
He then drives to his car, then to Bethpage Black, where the 63-year-old caddy achieves his dream while helping to write the most unlikely history of this year's PGA Championship.
"I open the store and I do what I have to do, then I get hurt here," Miller said Saturday.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Brooks Koepka can be & nbsp;run away with the tournamentbut one of the golfers who still has a chance to catch him on the outside is Atiwit "JazzJanewattananond. The 23-year-old Thai was playing for the third time in the United States and had no caddy for the trip. He therefore asked the PGA to assign him a local. "Data-reactid =" 17 "> Brooks Koepka may be at odds with the tournament, but one of the golfers who still has a chance to catch up with him is Atiwit" Jazz "Janewattananond. his third tournament in the US and he did not have a caddy to make the trip, so he asked the PGA to assign him a local.
That's Miller, a longtime resident of Farmingdale with a strong Long Island accent, who made his first loop to Bethpage almost 50 years ago. He was among the first cadets to officially return in 2009 when the resurgent popularity of this challenging course created a market for their advice.
Janewattananond is tied with three other golfers for second place at five under, with seven strokes from Koepka. He is the only golfer not to play with his regular cadet, but it does not matter; He shot a 67-under 67 Saturday, the lowest round of the day.
The two are a strange but popular couple in Bethpage. Miller's status as a local drew a lot of support from the couple as Janewattananond's success as a relative underdog and his fun nickname soon earned him becoming a fan favorite all by himself.
"He's great and it's easy to work with him," Miller said after Saturday's round. "The first day, we were a little uncomfortable. He speaks softly and he is quick with words and I say to myself, "What? And then, he had trouble with my New York accent for a little while. But we're fine now. "
The ironic part of the story is that it was not even supposed to be Miller's job. Originally, PGA entrusted Dave Casper, Chief of Cadets for Bethpage, Miller's boss, to wear the Jazz bag.
Casper injured his wrist last month and decided Sunday night not to be able to do the job.
Miller, who was planning to volunteer to pick up the distance balls for two days of the tournament in order to get a free pass the rest of the week, was given the gig instead.
He still can not believe his good fortune.
"I always watched these guys on the other side of the fence," Miller said. "Now I am close to them and I eat with them at the restaurant.
He does more than just eat with them. Janewattananond said his confidence in Miller was strengthened in Thursday's third hole, when Miller's advice helped him save a tough level.
Jazz Janewattananond is in the running for the PGA Championship thanks to her younger brother, Jack Miller. (Yahoo Sports)
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Miller's advice has also benefited another professional. South Africa golfer Erik van Rooyen Miller used two workouts earlier in the week before his regular cadet arrived. Miller's lawyer also took advantage of another professional South African golfer Erik van Rooyen used Miller for a series of practice rounds earlier in the week before his usual cadet does not receive He is currently in T-12 at two cents.
"Not too bad," said Miller after noting that fact.
It's a funny story of human interest, but the stakes are high. Janewattananond is currently ranked 72nd in the world and a solid finish would probably put him in the top 60, which would ensure an invitation to the US Open next month. His top-four finish at PGA also allows him to participate in next year's Masters.
There is also the small problem of the check that Janewattananond could cash. A second-place solo PGA will bring in $ 1.188 billion (about double his career earnings so far), while a top-10 finish would yield no less than $ 272,000.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "What Miller gets from what's left to see Apparently, having learned nothing from the & nbsp;Matt Kuchar controversyTournament coordinator Jeff Poplarski said Miller's deal was $ 100 plus a tip to be determined by the golfer. "data-reactid =" 43 "> What Miller gets from this remains to be seen The controversy between Matt Kuchar and Tournament Cadet Coordinator Jeff Poplarski, said the agreement signed by Miller was $ 100 , plus a tip determined by the golfer.
Miller said that he had momentarily thought about the money that could happen to Janewattananond, but that he had quickly chased him out of his brain.
"That's not what's important to me," he said. "I want him to go through this tournament and make him have a good time. … everything will be equal. "
Moreover, he says, you can not put a price on what he could experience. There was a time when he thought of becoming a professional caddy. But real life and bills have beckoned. The grocery store was more secure. People always need food, they do not always need someone to give them the right club.
It's funny how life works. Late Saturday afternoon, Miller found himself in the 18th green, lining a 10m putt with a birdie with Janewattananond.
On the other side of the green, Katherine Thompson was standing behind the rope and looking at her joined hands. Her husband, Bill, had grown up with Miller and they had all been to Farmingdale High together. Miller was even in their marriage.
"You just have to know it's Jack's dream," she says.
Miller later said, "Everyone knows that's my dream."
On the green, Janewattananond sank the putt and the crowd roared. Miller pumped his fist. He saw someone in the gallery and waved his fist. He did the same for someone along the rope. He climbed on the deck of the players up to the trailer and beckoned to someone from below.
"I probably knew about thirty people around the age of 18," he said. "I could not pick any because of the crowd, but I could hear them shout my name and that of Jazz."
With the arrival of Luke List at 2:25 on Sunday afternoon, Miller said it would be easier to reconcile his two jobs.
Yes, he still plans to work at the grocery store on Sunday morning.
"Working will not be a problem," he said. "I can go later at the usual time."
Which one is?
"5:30."
Miller said he would take advantage of the late hour to present his Saturday night, "eat something big, probably beef, and enjoy some beers.
He smiled.
"I really do not want it to end. Can golf work overtime?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "More from Yahoo Sports:"data-reactid =" 65 ">More from Yahoo Sports:
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